Reviews (page 7 of 8)
Have been a fan of Them Changes in recent years and the prospect of this excited me. Have done some background listening and it hasn't inspired me to delve deeper into their work. Got some nice squelchy sounds running through it though, I could really squish about to some of these on a 'dance floor.' I guess that would have to be at a wedding, as that's where I get most of my dancing seen to these days. Really looking forward to the next wedding where the local DJ spins out some TC so I can splosh about to my heart's content on the slickly greased floor of the local municipal building.
i like and hate every other song so idk how i feel
Eh, it was ok. Couple bangers I knew
Yeah, funky, cool. Not something I'd listen to a lot I think
Pretty cool
Haven't heard of Thundercat before. Really good music and I'll be listening going forward, but nothing stood out.
i get it, he's talented and its got a vibe. this just isn't for me.
Jammed full of ideas and fresh sounds. It's a little eccentric, then quite smooth commercial r&b or something. Prince would be a good frame of reference
Oooooooo one I've wanted to hear but never had a reason /// Weird. left me feeling nothing special, like that eels album. Just weird beats. Artsy bullshit, why is there so much hype around this dumb album?
Not what I was expecting. Space jazz mixed with Yacht Rock mixed with novelty songs... kind of. Best tracks: Uh Uh, Show You the Way, Them Changes
I've never been that into this album even though people love it... but it's slowly growing on me. These strange bouncy basslines feels like the sonic equivalent of drinking a pint of gravy. But the strange floaty ennui aesthetic is noteworthy!
Definitely enjoyable but a bit long. 7
2017!! This must be a very recent 1001 update. Spotify has been sending me Thundercat stuff for a while. Lots of big names supporting him on this one. It gets off to a quirky start with <Captain Stupido> and I like the retro keyboards on <Them Changes> but otherwise, it’s a little too mellow R&B for me. Nice background music.
Thundercat where have you been all my life? Never heard of this band and its great! Nice prog-soul grooves with some excellent musicmanship.
funk, soul. Peculiar
Took a while to settle in but once I got in the groove it was good. There's funny and serious themes all overlayed on a weird funky bass line formula. Drink Dat is an excellent anti party lifestyle tune, Kendricks verse on Walk on By is obviously excellent and Tokyo is weird but good.
Cool vibes though annoying lyrics and some decent instrumentation. Not really my thing but not the worst
Very chill album. That being said there are a few songs that I like. Many song just blended together and a time became boring. Has the song Them Changes on here.
Lots of funky grooves on this album. It's a bit too out there for me to give it a 4 star rating, but I'd listen to it again. 3 stars.
Not my type of music
Not a fan. Jethro and Show You The Way were good tho
When I saw the track listing featured both Kendrick Lamar and Kenny Loggins I was intrigued and thought this should at least be an interesting experience. In the end I started off hating this album, the first 3rd was a chore to listen to. But then I quite enjoyed 'Show you the way'. There was definitely more that enjoyed in the second half of the album, and there is probably a half decent 10 track album in here, but as a whole it's too long and a bit of a mess. 2.5* rounded down to 2*
Not really for me but good for background music I guess
Mid Lyrics kinda scuffed lol
Frank Zappa with a killer bass player meets Michael McDonald. No, he literally meets Michael McDonald. The musical parts are creative and sometimes interesting. But the lyrical banter is usually trying too hard to be weird. A 2.
Not my sort of thing normally, but it’s alright. Listened to about half of it in the car, overly jazzy stuff doesn’t really do it for me but some of it was listenable. Couple of stars because I didn’t turn it off immediately
Again... interesting doesn't always = good. Super talented. Just too silly for me.. meh
If you had yacht rock but removed the hooks. I dunno I found this for the most part, boring. Like occasionally interesting for a minute or so but essentially background music. Very much not for me.
it had some good moments but overall it did not leave much of an impression, maybe just not my style
I hoped I would like this more reading the wiki but it's rather uninteresting and seems to go on forever.
I wanted to like this more but it just never clicked. Every time I thought it was heading in a good direction, it took a turn for the worse and never did connect with me much.
I enjoyed how the atmosphere recalled the hazy, midnight stupor of yesteryear, but I will not revisit any of these songs.
⭐️⭐️1/2 Never heard of this dude before. I loved the ambience and some of the bass-heavy tracks, but thought it could’ve used some judicious trimming and fleshing out of some half-baked songs - I’m not generally the biggest fan of shorter form songs in general though. Loved the sequence from Day & Night to Show You The Way (Michael McDonald with that weirdo voice filter or whatever was a trip) to Walk on By with Kendrick. Absolutely did not expect that feature.
Disapointed. Not with the artist or music, but more that I didn't connect with it. I'd heard so much about Thundercat and the song I had heard (Them Changes) I thought was cool, but I just couldn't get on with the whole album.
Drunk; start out great - does not end well (sounds familiar.) The first third of the album is impressive and enjoyable. Love the funk of Uh Uh. Starts losing me at Lava Lamp. Songs begin to get wimpy and very similar after that. Makes a brief comeback with Them Changes ( best song on the album) and Where I’m Going. Weak, weak finish. (1.9*s) Meow. It’s cool to be a cat.
Feels like Thundercat has had more than just alcohol
Just can't get into this.
Sounds like Jamiroquai, with shorter tracks. Why should I bother?
Ei iskenyt. 1,5/5.
Dude
don‘t like his voice
wtf was that
I mess with projects that Thundercat has played with, but I don’t mess with Thundercat - sometimes the artistry gets in the way of the art.
Nije mi sad čudo što za ovog lika znam samo da svira bas, to je otprilike i jedino vrijedno spomena. Ovo kašljanje, mjaukanje, itd. mi nije nešto uzbudljiva muzika.
Absolute slog to get through even though it’s supposed to be a relaxing, light mood. Modern R&B is so bad. Thundercat’s singing style isn’t special, the lyrics are nonsense (just bc he’s not taking it seriously doesn’t mean it absolves him from criticism). That leaves the instrumentals to save it but it just a stew of B-sides. He wastes some big features. This could’ve been a single of Them Changes. Rating: 1.8
I think "interesting" will cover this album. When it's uptempo and energetic, this really goes for it, but frequently it descends into downbeat discordant farty bass noise. Worth a listen.
Sensual nostalgiacore
1. Rabbot Ho - N/A Track is too short to be rated. 2. Captain Stupido - 3 It's obviously like a joke track but I'm never a fan of this kind of music. Lyrically it makes zero sense. Instrumentally there are some okay parts to it like the beat and tempo but outside of that it's just an awfult track. 3. Uh Uh - 7 Decent jam jazz track. Like something I used to hear on Dead or Alive Xtreme or Test Drive Unlimited in the casinos in those games. Like a faster Brazilian Sugar by George Duke. 4. Bus In These Streets - 4 Lyrically it's okay but vocally it's awful and the track is a bit all over the place in pace, tone, and instrumentals. 5. A Fan's Mail (Tron Song Suite II) - 1 This is just an awful track. I'm sure there's some reference or something I'm missing... but I don't find listening to people meow over a track for over a minute appealing in any sense. 6. Lava Lamp - 4 Almost the exact same vibe and issues as Bus in the Streets. Lyrics and generally the song are less all over the place than Bus in the Streets but it's not increased any enjoyment of the track. 7. Jethro - 5 Vocally better and instrumentally more enjoyable. It's a bit experimentally and trips all over itself in terms of the timing/pace but other than that, it's okay. 8. Day & Night - N/A Excellent sound but too short to be rated. 9. Show You The Way (feat. Kenny Loggins & Michael McDonald) - 5 Lyrically good, I'm not really liking Thundercat's vocals. This is like the motown my dad used to listen to. It's not really my vibe most of the time and while I can appreciate what it offers, it's not really for me. 10. Walk On By (feat. Kendrick Lamar) - 5 There's parts to love and hate about this track. The opening vocals from Thundercat are not enjoyable and neither is the key change during them. Then Kendrick comes in and his rap is mostly enjoyable (apart from a slur, and no not that one). His flow abruptly ends when he says "walk on by" and the inflection feels like it goes down in octave instead of up during it. The whole track just feels off like this within the different parts of it. 11. Blackkk - 2 Elevator music. 12. Tokyo - 4 Some of the references are very good, others are problematic, and the song is generally just a throwaway track stuffed with Japanese pop culture references. Very little actual substance. 13. Jameel's Space Ride - 3 Short track but not anything exceptional in the slightest. Lyrics aren't enjoyable and neither are the vocals. 14. Friend Zone - -1 Vocally awful and the message is even worse. Burn this track with fire. 15. Them Changes - 1 Not a fan of the lyrics at all. Much of the same problems as Friend Zone but it's more metaphoric and not as sexist. Still problematic and unenjoyable. 16. Where I'm Going - 1 There's a voice effect on that makes the vocals sound even worse. Lyrically the track is awful as well. 17. Drink Dat (feat. Wiz Khalifa) - 5 Lyrically the flow is a lot better. Khalifa's part is alright as well and his flow is the highlight of the track. 18. Inferno - 2 It just comes off as an experimental track, like much of the album does. Genuinely there has been a feeling that there is zero need for this kind of music and it stays with this song. Everything is just all over the place with no structure and needless background sound effects and voice lines. 19. I Am Crazy - N/A Too short to be rated. 20. 3AM - 4 It's like a cheap throwaway track. It's not bad and the beat is nice but it's so short it and comes and goes so quickly you can't really get into it or think much of it. 21. Drunk - 1 Lyrically this is awful. Absolutely awful. 22. The Turn Down (feat. Pharrell) - 1 Another track with absolutely dreadful lyrics. 23. DUI - 3 Vocally it's still not enjoyable but the flow and style of the song is much better than the last too. Not a great track overall. Average Rating: 3.00 Adjusted to 5-Point Scale: 1.50 Rounded Up: 2 Stars
Cool beats combined with sounds picked from a random number generator. A little too weird for me, sorry.
I’m sorry but I just don’t enjoy this. Thundercat seems like a cool cat though
I only knew Thundercat as a very good bass player, but never listened to one of their albums. I probably won't again. Surely there is musicianship there, but it's as if the producer asked all musicians to play a soft as possible and with the least possisble amount of passion. Way too soft/yacht-rocky and R&B for me. It sounds as if all musicians were dead bored recording this album, and so am I listening to it.
This one had a vibey, spacey quality to it, which, along with the occasional forays into uber-cool jazz territory, made me want to like it. I just couldn't. The very hint of a tune sends it off in an unsatisfying amelodic direction and I just could not connect emotionally with any of the tracks. 'Jameel's Space Ride' and 'Them Changes' were as close as it got. Excellent cover art though
It was fine but super repetitive and I was never drawn into the album.
This album really didn't need to be 23 tracks long; Thundercat may be a great bassist but I'm not sure he's a great song writer. His falsetto voice doesn't seem to have much range which means a lot of the tracks sound very similar.
Nope... Gillade ej detta. Ganska tråkigt, vissa ljusglimtar men inte mer. Kul med Kendrick Lamar men annars inget för mig.
I don't know. Maybe I'm not smart enough to get it. But I didn't feel like listening again
I didn't like a moment of this album. It was elevator jazz/r&b/dated funk plus some modern profanity. Giving this a 1 feels harsh, considering the company it would keep, but I gave it some thought. It's probably closer to a 1.5 for me.
The quality of the instrumentation, and especially the bass, is really good, but that's about it. It goes nowhere, the composition is just bland and there are way too many songs on this. If the total song count was cut in half, and each song was longer and taken more care of it would've been more cohesive, because this is just a mess. His deliberate loser persona makes this a tedious listen too. He sings about getting friendzoned because he just wants to play Diablo or Mortal Kombat. It's not fun at all. Best song: Them Changes Worst song: DUI Cover check: Actually quite evocative, too bad there's nothing interesting beneath
Absolute R&B bollocks. So many songs with so little going on, and I care little for any of the guest ‘stars’. This sounds to me like elevator music or background music for a video game. Ok if that is what you are going for, but not interesting to me to listen to by itself. To paraphrase Bruce Springsteen - ‘23 songs and nothin’ on’
Not a fan of this weird jazz/funk/r&b mash.
wow, very much not for me despite having some musically cool parts
I’m glad he’s having fun but I’m not really
Aside from the 10 seconds of the singer meowing at the start of A Fan's Mail (Tron Song Suite II), this album is very much not for me.
This album feels like a homework project. It demonstrates that they've mastered the instruments and the production techniques, they've studied the disco, soul, funk, and hip hop sonic cannon, they're doing clever things with sounds and samples and references. Good job, you get an A. It's expert and super competent, lots of talent on display, but has no reason to exist other than demonstrating that. There's not taking yourself too seriously, and there's being unserious - and this is both - it's silly and goofy because why not, it's just content through which to practice prowess. There's some decent jams, some nice arrangements, some solid grooves, lots of great bass parts, but it doesn't really amount to anything - pure filler. It's not even drunk, it's the epitome of tipsy.
Nada interesante
Lullabies for Gen Z. I can see why someone would like this, but it is not for me. I don’t care for his singing style at all. The music is chill, and at times whimsical, but it’s too close to just being generic Muzak music.
Coincidentally, thundercat was a guest on Stephen Colbert this week. I enjoyed this album more than I expected to - especially since I know almost zero about jazz. I’m a suicidal tendencies fan but from years before Stephen's Bruner’s era. I’d really give this a 2.5 star
thundercat is a musician for musicians. its undeniable that hes super talented - prob the best bassist of the 2000s. also he was on mac demarkos iconic tiny desk concert iykyk. i LOVE a few of his songs and i find some to be unlistenable. plz dont hate me. i just dont think i have an ear for his kind of jazz. i bet its super fun to play tho.
Thunder, thunder, thunder, Thundercat NOOOOOO. Wasn’t for me
Best Track - "Walk On By"
Squarepusher for pop fans. 'Them changes' is awesome but the Meow cat song... unsubscribe. This guy is a sick bass player but its too front and center in most of the songs.
3 - BAD
A little interesting, but still a slog.
I’m all for quirky genre-defying collisions, and this seems to check those boxes. Unfortunately, it gets in its own way by relying too much on those. The inclusion of Kenny Loggins and Michael MacDonald was a funny nod to 70s yacht rock, but doesn’t really boost it into higher rating for me. Shave the album in half and it still delivers the message and probably earns higher ratings.
This dude is weird. Jameels Space Ride sounded like a joke parody. Friend Zone also had some silly lyrics. Chuckled a little but really couldn’t get into this. 2.5
Man, I kinda hate shit like this. That noodling bass just pisses me off. And it's like they're intentionally trying to sound discordant. Idk how to describe it, but it feels overly performative. Like "Listen to me. I intentionally make it sound off. Isn't my music so deep? Aren't I pretty?" And it's so fkn long! 23 songs? Fuck off. Some may love it, but I find it grating. Even Michael McDonald and Kendrick were not enough to save this one for me. 2/5 Highlights: Jethro Where I'm Going Drink Dat
was a bit boring to be honest
Soft weird
Lo-fi, slow rap and bass. Not my favorite
Well done, but not my thing. A bit one note.
Weird R&B/Hip Hop. The songs were all very short. Some were 30 seconds long. Kendrick Lamar, Pharrell, and others featured on it. I never need to listen to any of it again, but it wasn’t horrible.
Blind album and artist. Production and instrumentals are cool but how is this hip hop? I feel misled and I just couldn't click with this
This was not for me. I've seen Thundercat live and remembered it being funky and surprising, but this reminded me of elevator musak. The lyrics also really had nothing to say, and instead of being goofy and entertaining when they were meant to be funny, they either fell flat or put a bad taste in my mouth. Some of the baselines were interesting, but not enough to carry the album. 1.8 stars.
Boring
Nah
Not really for me, few decent tracks in there though, some felt a bit pointless.
Bra musikk, men ikkje for meg
I do want to be a cat. Meow. Okay, I did not expect Kenny Loggins and Michael McDonald. It was mildly amusing at first, but the style got old and the album just fell flat. It's not for me.
started real strong and then went absolutely nowhere. just the same song for 90% of the record.
Noticed that the further I have got in this list, the more balanced and tolerant I have (tried to) become. I try to find some worth in each record. While accepting that somethings just aren’t my thing, try not to hate on things. I don't hate this, he can play, there are snippets of songs that rattle by, but after hearing it 1st time I had to Google Ai it to see why it is revered. I read what it said, took it in but my mind keeps screaming is it some soft pop/Soul/light jazz/funk fusion or is it just Muzak. Can it be both? For someone with such a biog, award winning and collaboration resume, I have no still have no idea for the life of me why I need to hear this, non what so ever. It could have been something churned out at anytime in the last 40 years, except for the odd lyric that places it. Standing in an elevator or some idea of a cocktail party ( if such things exist in the real world and not just on tv). Non descript multiple tracks whistle by without registering,sure they can play, the odd lyric raises a smile, his character in star wars was shit. 2 Star. Cool cover though
First day back on the morning album regiment been busy. Glad it’s an r&b album to ease me back in. T1 feels like Kendrick , a little tpab but mainly “untitled”. Especially the “I feel weird, brush your teeth comb your hair”, reminds me of sb soul outro T3 also like Kendrick but section 80. T4 just reading about the album now and now I am a fool. This IS A Kendrick album! Didn’t even look at the release year, just assumed it was 40 years old. T6 flower boy? Tyler wya in this album btw ? T9 finally this is what I came here for. T10 nice verse. Sounds exactly like Sherane IIRC. T17 man wiz sucks.
Just not my thing tbh
5/10
It's...Alright I guess. It was fun at times and cringey at others.
Pick a melody. Refine it. Repeat it, solo on it. Decide whether to keep it. Whittle down each track with the above method. Discard pointless noodling. Give us a solid 10-track album. Not this amorphous blob of hip hold music. Also, is no one going to point out the album cover's homage to Grover Washington?
Nope.
This is nerd soul, not so much funk. It reminds me of Louis Cole without the insane drumming, the hot horn playing, and the excitement. I prefer Cole's bassists too. The lyrics are original but not memorable since the rest of the music is rather boring.
It’s like someone listened to a steeleye dan album, thought they could give it a go, but were very much mistaken
Peculiar, but not in a good way. Lost interest after a while. Persevered, but no improvement.
What a mixture of musical styles, not my thing.
Layered falsetto drifty chaos
Funky. Never liked it. Never will.
Meh. Didn’t do it for me.
No private session used for Spotify. Wasn't sure what to expect, what I found was a mix of prog rock, Steely Dan-esque adult jazz, and some rapping, the result was a cacophony of crap that I got annoying at the end.
Great start to this album, and I thought “yes” this is right up my street, but it never gets going in my opinion- decent though
I had seen this one around and was hoping for better, but I didn't really care for it. Too slow and just not very interesting to me.
Very artistic album. Not really something I would listen to again but it wasn't bad. Very weird, but not bad. 4/10
Them changes
genre defining. don’t know if it’s for me
I want to like this more than I do. There's creativity in the approach to building tracks and constructing songs. Unfortunately, by track five, that creativity runs its course and what's left is just more cold, repetitive waves of computer performances of musical snippets that seem disorganized and underdeveloped.
ok I guess...
Not my thing, but not as much “not my thing” as I expected
I know Thundercat is an exceptional bass player and musician but I didn’t care for this. Every song felt like he was half serious and half joking around.
I can hear why it's great, it's just not for me.
2017. Thundercat putting out an R&B Album with his bass. Many silly tracks and can drag at times but it does have good baselines.
Not my jam
I already know this artist and album! It's okay at best. Thundercat is a great bassist who intentionally holds himself back with some weird ideas in this album. Some songs are minute long non-sequitors; with the album printed on multiple small discs. I like his later stuff more.
Started off ok, but just too much of it. Could have been a very high 3, but now I'm on the verge of only awarding a 2. It just goes on too long. Sorry, yes it will be a 2.
What is this. A couple of tolerable songs, but a whole lot of dross to go along with it
This album seems most like a work tape of song ideas. It's a collection of fun grooves. Most songs clock in at about two minutes, many even shorter. Thundercat is a great bassist. You can most easily hear his virtuosity on the song "Uh Uh." Excellent R&B / Soul numbers on this record. Also contains surprise guest vocals from both Kenny Loggins and Michael McDonald. The album's strength is also its weakness: very short songs. For example, if you don't like a song, no problem. It will end quickly. However, that also means when Thundercat latches onto a juicy jam, he doesn't ride it long enough. The song may be over within a minute and a half. The result makes the album somewhat disjointed. Favorite song: "Them Changes"
Thundercat is a monster bass player, but the quality of the songs on here leave a lot to be desired. As in: This was really boring. 2/5
This album gives me uncanny vibes, it makes me feel weird. I like the originality of the music. The slow, jazz, soul feel is interesting.
there were a couple of brief so so moments but mostly it was. not teribly accessible to me.
I appreciate the weirdness and non sequitur humor here, but it's not really what I'm looking for when listening to music.
This album was clearly written to annoy the everlasting fuck out of me.
This is another album that sounds OK on the surface, but as it progresses the more disorganized and incomplete it feels. The songs are all so short they seem like passing thoughts instead of fully conceived ideas. This is music bordering on the avant-garde and it becomes more uncomfortable and difficult to enjoy as it unfolds. This is likely something I will never come back to. This is a more entertaining version of the same music: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xuCn8ux2gbs&list=LL&index=24
begint interessant, maar begint na tijdje tegen te steken... heel de tijd zelfde dingetje...
Opening up recording technology to the masses was a mistake
Did not enjoy.
Meh. Interesting but not interesting enough
This started very good and unusual but after that it sounded like the songs were on repeat. A bit of variation for fuck sake 😅. You're getting a 2, could've been much higher
Quirky, interesting mix of different genres, just didn't feel this one too much, definitely one that needs a few listens.
non proprio il mio genere, in più non è nemmeno hip hop imo
I’m all for experimenting but I probably won’t listen to this ever again
My word this was underwhelming. Really not a fan of the cheesy 80s vibe. Kind of boring with a bit of bass player showboating to boot. It’s a no from me
Lazy and one note. Pass.
Day 73 First listen- Great to play as background to get work done (2.5/5)
I appreciate weird. But it has to be paired with substance. And this has none. It's just boring.
Bad.
Previously I'd only heard Thundercat on To Pimp A Butterfly. Not my thing, nothing felt like a banger that'd stay with you. The album felt too long even though it was more or less regular length 2/5
Kendrick Lamar (and Kenny Loggins!) save this from one-star territory. That may be the worst opening song I've heard in 1000 albums.
More like “Pussycat” than “Thundercat”
Super funky and casual in a way that isn't really my jam. A song about getting into Japanese culture from DBZ is both a wonderful affirmation of how things can matter to people, and not something I really want to listen to.
Ok I've tried a couple times to get this album and I just don't. Usually I enjoy the weird expemental stuff but this missed me by a lot.
A jumbled album like a tasteless failed cocktail What's it doing in this selection?
I appreciate how authentic this album felt, but I didn’t connect with it the way a lot of others likely did There was nothing particularly bad about it outside of the fact that it started to get repetitive towards the end Some of my favorites parts of the album included… -Friend Zone, which featured my favorite instrumental on the album -Them Changes, which justified being the big hit it became -The features, which are solid for the most part with Kenny Loggins and Kendrick Lamar being the standouts It’s hard to find a lot of negative here, but I also don’t think it’s very special in any way Favorites: None Honorable Mentions: Friend Zone, Them Changes
Cannot figure it out. Interesting rather than good
Schlock
This album was not for me. It was *painful* to listen to, but it just made me feel kind of anxious and like I didn’t know what to do. I could bop to some, but with others, it felt like the percussion was too fast and urgent for me.
dnf - did not capture my interest
Ugh. Electronica.
Kendrick and Wiz features are the only saving grace, would've been a 1 star.
Wow this really sucked although not as bad as some of the unlistenable ones on the list.
Pleasant but not my thing.
Left me with not much positive to say…
Wildly talented, and one of the more random characters in music history (he has a small niche place there for sure), Thundercat is . . . something. Not sure what. This sounds like he got really, really high and recorded an album on a Casio keyboard. That's not exactly praise. Mild reprieve from King Crimson (emphasis on mild) and we're back in solid 2-star land. This might actually be a one.
Solid modern day funk. The arrival of Kendrick provides the first real highlight. Adding a much needed layer of texture to the track, lacking on those before it. Generally there is too much synths for my liking and no where is that more apparent than ‘Friend zone’. Which is the sound of an oncoming migraine. Drink dat is another standout and it’s not coincidental that this is another track with a guest rapper, in Wiz Khalifa. Unfortunately for me at least when Thundercat is playing off someone stylistically different and therefore this generally falls a bit flat
I am not sure how to feel about this at all. It was... samey? It was sort of like listening to a single 23-part, 51 minute song, that sounded like someone was just stream of consciousness rambling and then occasionally someone like Kendrick or Wiz Khalifa would try and interrupt to get him back on track. I had to listen to it in two parts because I realised half way through that I didn't really want to finish it but that I wasn't really sure why. I didn't hate it, just didn't have the patience for it. All of which I think gets me to: 2/5
I've struggled with this album for a long time. Obviously all the musicians are top level but it's just hard to get into.
Honestly, the more I listened to this album the more I disliked it. "Them Changes" is still great, "Tokyo" is sort of funny", but the album is poorly balanced in general. It really only needs to be like 5 songs. The guest features do not save it.
Album 811 of 1089 Thundercat - Drunk (2017) Rating : 2.5 / 5 Interesting listen. A celebration of life’s weirdness, a coping mechanism, and a party playlist all at once. One track would bring to mind the music from a Samberg/Timberlake skit and the next would bring thoughts of Zappa. One review described it as "a whirlwind of funk, jazz, R&B, and cosmic soul that feels like a late-night spiral through existential musings and absurd humor."
absurd amount of funkiness: +50 wild electro sound: +20 unsolicited use of the n word: -80 he’s just kinda a weirdo? -10
As background music this is fine. But it’s nothing more than background music for me. Not really my groove.
Je ne suis probablememnt pas le public cible. L'album est pet etre bon mais il m'a semblé vide.
Another album where there is little musical melody with falsetto speak -singing over the top. Don't really get it. Listened to Suicidal Tendencies to see what that was like also...was not a fan. Obviously a talented musician but not for me
When I first read Thundercat, I excitedly assumed Lion-O and Tygra l’s crew had dropped a late 80’s album which had passed me by despite being a fan of the TV show. A bit disappointing to discover that’s not what I was getting TBH. I’d never heard of Thundercat, and dont feel my life was any more emptier for it. I really struggled to get through this album. Frankky, it sounds like something that might be played as background music in a US poolside bar. I’ve probably heard it before but never paid any attention. I guess this is perfectly ok to zone out from over a cocktail, but it’s not something I’d ever actively choose to listen to. I mean it’s creative enough and throws down some interesting noises, plus I guess the Wiz Khalifa track was half decent, which just about edges an additional star. Otherwise it’s just a thoroughly dull listen, devoid of melodies, and driven by that nu-soul sound which has zero appeal to me. I can’t see why anyone would ever say “ooh, I’d like to listen to that again” when there are far better things to do with one’s time. File under “Avoid”.
Show you the way. Slick 80-tals soul. I övrigt enformigt och trist. Hyllades när det kom. Jag förstod det inte då och inte heller nu.
I remember when Len Houmous got blind drunk at a Christmas fancy dress party in 1986. He went as Lion-o. I made a vow that day that it would be the last time i would see a drunk thundercat! 2.4
Just physcadelic noise being weird for the sake of being weird.
Don’t get the hype. Sounded mostly like Lounge Act music, with the occasional break for some foul language.
On ne se cachera pas que ce n'est pas mon genre. Sa petite voix doucereuse haut perchée n'est pas là pour aider. Un album pour aider à dormir le soir?
With Thundercat I started off thinking it was great. But it's too splintered to make a good album, just a collection of ideas really. It's overwhelming, and towards the end I was counting down the tracks.
More vibes and a place to show off bass kicks and geeky references. Flows well, but nothing memorable.
There is literally what sounds like meowing over synth jazz... I am unsure what this is. Maybe I need to come back to it
It`s not my thing!
I did not feel the thunder with Thundercat. If anything it was more smooth and slippery.....Slippycat! Other than that though, just really really boring
Trendy. Interesting in parts otherwise rubbish
Panicked psychedelic elevator music
#537. I wouldn't have guessed muzak-rap would be something to come into existence, but here we are. 2/5: meh
If I could give it 2.5, I would. I appreciate the musicianship immensely, but I need a hook. That's why Them Changes really stands out on this record.
Cheesy Seventies MOR Soul given a woozy makeover to sound contemporary. Not as fun as that makes it sound.
hmm, naja; ist mir zu wischi-waschi
I was not previously familiar with the artist or album. This was mostly interesting because of the varied sounds and genres represented, but overall it was just ok. I am glad for having heard it once, but I doubt I would come back to it.
respect for the style it’s just not mine
Odd
Friend Zone slaps. Them Changes is pretty good. The whole rest of the album is fun but not at all enjoyable to listen to. It all sounds the dang same. Specifically the vocals. Very tiresome.
Couldn't believe it when this chump fucking meowed through a song haha. Rubbish lyrics, and his voice annoys me.
Thundercats are on the move Thundercats are loose Feel the magic, hear the roar Thundercats are loose Thunder, thunder, thunder, Thundercats Thunder, thunder, thunder, Thundercats Thunder, thunder, thunder, Thundercats Thunder, thunder, thunder, Thundercats! Someone in this group got sucked off by Mum-Ra on my stag do but I’m not a tout.
I’m not familiar with Thundercat or this album, but I’m pretty sure I’ve seen this album cover several times. I have no idea what this album is going to sound like, but I’m a young and hip 40-year-old, so I think there’s a good chance that I’ll enjoy this album. Time to get Drunk on a Monday! I admire this album’s unique sound, but it really wasn’t for me. Musically, some songs would start off in a way that I thought would interest me, but then the sound would change, and the elements that hooked me in would either disappear or be replaced by something else that I didn’t care for. The best example of this was on “Bus In The Streets;” I liked the tinkling melody that was used in the beginning of the song, but that sound faded away and was replaced by more drums and bass. I wasn’t a big fan of the vocals either, and since I wasn’t interested in the music or the singing, I didn’t pay much attention to the lyrics. However, I did enjoy “Lava Lamp.” I really liked the chill atmosphere, and the music and vocals were really pleasant. The guest appearances by Michael McDonald and Kenny Loggins on “Show You The Way” were really cool too. Those guys really fit the funky and jazzy vibe of the song. If Thundercat could have gotten Donald Fagen too, this album might have been included as a free gift when you purchased a pair of white New Balance shoes. Overall though, this album really wasn’t for me. For an album filled with fairly short songs, it felt pretty tedious and failed to really grab my attention. I respect the vision, but the execution was just something that I wasn’t interested in.
..
Honestly, the vibes are on point. And the musical ideas of the album are pretty good! A mix of funk, soul, driven by modern electronics. The issue is it sounds too mathematically perfect, so fake that it's almost robotic. It reminds me a bit of Jacob Collier's music, which I also really dislike because it's so mathematically perfect, and gives everything just an unsettling kind of feel. On top of all of that, this is just super weird. He's using slang in his songs, and it's like hearing your grandpa say, "lit". Nothing about his singing makes me want to listen more. And I think it's really telling that some of the features on the album end up being the best parts. Kendrick nearly saves the song he appears on. Wiz Khalifa's parts in his song are also really good. Ironically, my favorite song is only Thundercat, but it's also the one that feels the most real and avoids most of the weirdness going on in the rest of the album. Favorite Song(s): Lava Lamp
Album started off goofy and I lost hope, but there's actually some good R&B in here. Probably a 2/5. A Fan's Mail (Tron Song Suite III) is actually kinda funny.
My first time listening to a solo Thundercat record, I went in with high expectations after hearing his contributions on "To Pimp a Butterfly". I was slightly disappointed that "Drunk" wasn't a bit more high-energy, but I did enjoy some of the mellow and atmospheric vibes nonetheless. Favorite song was the K.Dot feature.
Zappa-esque. Funny in parts. Not my thing
His voice was way too ethereal. At times, I couldn’t hear him over the bass. I thought I had my sound levels calibrated incorrectly. I was bored listening to this.
Eh, pretty boring. Saw him live once and was not impressed. Crazy talented bassist but he plays it so crazily and all over the place it just sounds like if someone picked up a bass and moved their hands all over the place while plucking as many strings as possible as fast as they could. Only a couple good ones on this album, so 2.3/5 rounding down to a 2 ⭐️ ⭐️
Hard work. Enjoyed some of his stuff I have heard on the radio. But overall not my bag!
Good music. Good singer. Keep the stupid rap out of the music, even better artist.
I respect the artistic choices being made and appreciate that this album exists, but it's not necessarily one I'm reaching to play again or picking up on vinyl.
I don't like pop music enough to like any of this album, and while listening I got a distinct feeling of lostness. It wants to be fun but isn't fun. Tries to fill the gaps with memes. Doomscrolling: the album? music: hated. (⌐■_■)
Not for me, this one. Some decent sounds but considered turning it off a couple times. Not sure why this is on the list.
I found this album sooo boring to listen to. So much so that it actually di di di di did my head in.
Dreamy
I understand why some might enjoy this, but it felt scattered to me. Perhaps if I ever tried hallucinogenic drugs, this album would make more sense.
This is probably some of the most soulless rnb music I’ve heard. The music itself is fine but it’s disappointing because It feels very commercial, i don’t get much sense of the artist’s emotion, passion, or care for the genre or subject matter.
Reeks of 6music. Some early tracks hooked ne in and I like the commitment to the short snappy pop song but the momentum quickly died
• 2/5 • Enjoyed some of the rhythms and instrumental elements; didn’t care for the falsetto vocals or lyrics
Samey
Pleasant enough, despite some of the lyrics. Found it a bit boring for my taste though. Won’t need to hear it again.
Exactly the kind of thing I can get behind to show off some originality and self expression. It only needs lots more originality and better self expression.
This is #day103 of my #1001albumsyoumusthearbeforeyoudie challenge and... given the year this was released and the genre of music, I expected this to be a soulless pile of crap. Well, it almost wasn't. Still, I'm not sure this should be on the list. I'm giving it a 2 out of 5. Looking forward to #day104.
Beetje saai
2.5 Dang I wanted to like this more. I was vaguely aware of this artist for years and it seemed like it would be up my alley but I just didn’t entirely vibe with this! There’s moments of greatness, where he’ll just catch upon something that’s wonderful and transcendent, but he doesn’t stay on it! He just moves on, leaving it not fleshed out or utilized, and there’s like a 50/50 chance the the next song is a stinker. He doesn’t seem to be aware of which ideas of his are worth diving into. Some really bad and embarrassing lyrics. Wish this were better.
This is respectable old school punk fused with modern alternative rock trends and production to make something radio friendly yet full of edge. However, I will rate it low from hearing it a lot as a kid. C
I'm not a fan of this...I tried. But no. Not for me.
23 tracks in less than an hour… is this speed punk? Well it’s quite okay to listen to, but it’s not my cup of tea - unfortunately it reminds me of waiting in line on the telephone. It’s only when Wiz Khalifa or Kendrick Lamar contributes, that I remember that I don’t need a doctor’s appointment.
🎧This one never got off the ground for me. Them Changes is good though.
Artiste totalement inconnu. Les morceaux sont plutôt courts. J'ai apprécié : "Uh Uh" -> Instrumental avec une ligne de basse superbe. Pour le reste, je n'aime pas trop le chant + voix, ni les effets utilisés sur la basse (type autowah). Et l'album est trop long. =>2/5
Interesting
Let me just that I believe that Thundercat is easily one of the most talented musicians of this generation. Dude can really play some bass. All that being said, I don’t think he has much of building a fully fleshed out album. Drunk is essentially just a compilation of songs. Some are bangers, some are not and some are just super short snippets. There is no flow or cohesion at all but if you pick out a few gems in the hay stack
Awful
❤️❤️/5
Found it very mellow. More like elevator music or videogame background music. Not my thing but also not entirely bad
Bus in These Streets Show You the Way Them Changes
Wants to be smooth and... Something else, I'm sure. Ends up being tedious to my ears.
A fun mix but it got repetitive
Interesante
Wow, this album cover and title! I have no idea what to expect . . . Having heard the whole album just now, it was beyond anything I could even possibly imagine. This album is as hard to like as it is to dislike. On the one hand, there are plenty of lyrics-first snippets that appear to be just singing any old sentences to odd jazzy chords, like literally just reading this sentence with mild melodic intonation and a synth that can produce thousands of sounds, but where only one was chosen for the entire album length. On the other hand, how can you not like the Jim Gaffigan inner-monologue-spoken-aloud lyrics like “gonna blow all my money on anime (yes)”, “cool to be a cat (meow, meow, meow, meow)”, and “something’s wrong with me”? With most of these tracks under two minutes (many under just one), simply wait it out and there’s another quickly behind. The best track here (besides “Tokyo”) are the ones where he has collaborated with someone. This shines a light on the main issue with the album: the scattered thoughts and snippets of melody in short songs only feel completed once flushed out with another creator presenting ideas. Without such collaboration, the songs are short impulses that sound too similar to each other for extended listening.
So I was excited to see this one pop up . I listened through it and oddly enough found it to be a bit bland and meandering. Some cool bass lines. I think Thundercat has been influenced by Earth Wind and Fire and maybe Prince. Though some the songs are put together in an interesting way, I found myself asking 'well what else you got?' It started to get a bit repetitive and a bit one trick pony-ish. For some reason this album made me think of Toro Y Moi however, maybe it was.some of the lofi sounds.I find Toro to be a lot more interesting. I found it fascinating that Kenny Loggins and Michael McDonald were on one song together. The album is not bad,.but I was looking for a bit more variation from song to song. Maybe even change up the tones a little? I went to listen through it a second time while working and ended up switching to listening Fu Schnickens instead. On some of the songs it was like they found a decent riff or progression to jam on and just stuck to it without adding many other lows or highs to it.
Bonkers but why not.
Extremely tedious.
Very diverse with good ups and very deep downs. It also feels a little incoherent.
A couple decent songs, but this was mostly phoned in and boring
A few were ok, smooth jazz but then other tracks weren't nearly that enjoyable (there was one "modern" version with Kendrick Lamar which was a particularly jarring transition from the other tracks I listened to
What the F was that? Was that a joke?
Started weird, thought it was getting better, it got weird again. Not offensive to the ears but offensive to the sanity
First of all, I’m a big fan of album covers and when I see an awesome album cover, I listen to the band. This one would have caught my eye and I’m surprised I hadn’t seen it before. Secondly, I thought the main voice on this album was going to be an aggressive sounding one, more like Ice T and not Andre 3000. Thirdly, this seems like the type of band that the hippies who like Frank Zappa would be in to. Fourthly, it’s a strange album if you already didn’t get the hint with the Frank Zappa mention. Choice cut: Walk on By
Seltsames Album aus Lounge, R&B und Rap Musik. Einige Stücke schlummern unauffällig vorbei und andere nerven schon was. Hörbar war das Stück mit Wiz Khalifa „Drink Dat“. Waren da in einem Song tatsächlich Schnarch- und Pfurzgeräusche? Na ja ich werde es wohl nie erfahren weil sich ein ReHear nicht aufdrängt.
I can see where modern funky, jazzy music that is touched with a bit of hip-hop is a worthy inclusion in this project. That said, this album really wasn't my thing. My initial thought about two songs into this album was "Man, if Kendrick Lamar did music more in these genres, this is what it would sound like", only for him to be featured later on in the album. Guess there's some truth to that thought.
Idk, something something
“Them Changes” rules. There’s a lot of care and talent put into this. It’s just not my thing overall. 2.5/5
molto poco interessante
I understand the dislike due to the style and lyrics but it is just a really weird album and I don’t know what to give it.
I'm just kinda mildly confused. His voice sounded good although it did sound kinda autotuned. The overall production of this album honestly reminded me of psychedelic type music mixed with r&b. It was all kinda confusing, although musically I didn't think it sounded too bad. It did kinda all blend together there by the end although the collabs were pretty nice. I dunno I don't really understand why this is on the list nor do I think this was spectacular or anything. It was fine as background music but otherwise all he talked about was getting high which I couldn't really relate to. The album cover gets two thumbs up though.
I just don't get it. don't care for the falsetto, musically it's too much sampling/synth & all tracks sound same, and lyrics are just random & odd
Womp
I don't know how to rate this. It sounds like an extended version of Bill Wurtz videos. You know? Like "The sun is a deadly laser." But it also feels like jazz in that not many of the songs actually resolve into anything. Is it meant to be taken as a meme? All it did was make me a little more anxious than I was already feeling.
I mean, I guess. 2.47 per track. It’s like 23 short tracks that all sound the same.
I don’t know what this is or who it’s for. It’s like jazz fusion crossed with elevator music. The too laid back vocals and juvenile lyrics just bored the crap out of me. The Bass player kicks ass but he needs a better veichle for his talent
This album is just super weird. While there seems to be some level of musical skill involved, all of the results of the various experiments on this album end up sounding uncomfortable. To top it off, Thundercat's style of singing is really annoying. It's hard to assess how serious or how tongue in cheek this guy is on some of the tracks, but some of the lyrics seem absolutely idiotic (Friend Zone being the tipping point for me; is this supposed to appeal to incels?).
Not really my genre, but that said the listening experience was OK. The music was creative in that all the songs didn't sound alike. But, not something I'd enjoy listening to frequently. 2/5
Very Zappa-esque. I never really got into Zappa. But then it took a strange turn into 90s soul/rap before both styles drunkenly mixed to finish the album. Amusing, but I don’t love it.
most of the albums so far i’ve either felt indifferent to, or have not liked on a matter of personal preference. this has been the first i’ve hated. like i would judge you if you said you liked this
Better as backing music, didn't really grab me
I didn't really like this album when it first came out, but I find it better now upon revisiting. There still is the issue of completely uninteresting vocals, but there is no denying the music underneath is really good
not for me
Cool jazz, funk. Sin más.
I hear so much about Thundercat, so I was excited to listen to this album. The experience was so-so, can't say he's somebody I'd want to listen to all the time.
If I had a nickel for every time I listened to an album that had a track where the vocalist meowed at me in tune to the beat, I would have two nickels. Which isn't a lot but it's weird that it happened twice.
This music was too slow moving for me. I can't call it bad, but it's awfully dull.
The bad: Lyrics using the word “retarded,” use of a fart sound in a song, and way too long of an album. The good: genre bending, inspired, and original.
A bit flat
Ik vind dit echt niet goed. Het is onrustig, te vrij van geest en ik kan er niet echt naar luisteren zonder rare trekjes te krijgen. Ik mis samenhang, continuïteit. Ik denk dat het gewoon niks voor mij is tbh. 2 reeten
I have not heard of this album or artist before. It wasn’t really my taste in music so I didn’t like it. One song that stood out to me a bit was: Show you the way. I did know one song from TikTok: Them changes. I won’t listen again.
Then Changes is a song I’ve enjoyed, but the album just didn’t draw me in. Technically good music, but the entire album? It felt tedious and a chore to finish. Good, but too much.
Almost too many ideas for one album. It’s never boring, if you don’t like one track another will be along in 30 seconds. On the downside, that means only a few tracks feel properly developed (Bus In The Street, A Fan’s Mail, Show You The Way, Tokyo, Them Changes). They are all great, so I think I’m going to make the usual double album comment that it would have made a great single, like a more jazz-soul version of Midnite Vultures. His melodies are really unusual, hardly ever goes where you expect (the product of being a great bassist and having to counterpoint the obvious choice of the main instrument?) Will definitely check out the rest of his stuff as this was too much to take in on first listen. Not an all-time great album, but an interesting thread to follow.
Couldn't make it through the first few songs, very weird and very chaotic music.
amazing basslines, brilliant beats, forgettable-to-awful leads, garbage lyrics. meow meow meow
I was really vibing to this until that friend zone song and now it's just weird
noodle-ey
2/5 too subtle and fairy
This looked interesting and different. But wasn't really..
Nah, what the fuck is this?! Soft jazzy shite.
chansons trop courtes et trop abstraites
this sounds like a bastardized version of yacht rock. in fact, michael mcdonald is featured in one of the songs. but not even the king of yacht rock can save this album.
Saw this guy live as an opener a few years back and it sounded awful but we were on the concourse the whole time so maybe that affected things. This sounded better but not by much.
Some soul, r&b, and jazz fusion-influenced music. I liked the overall tone and mood of it. However.....it was all over the place and I couldn't really feel anything cohesive from most of the tracks. There was very little direction to whatever the aim of this was supposed to be.
Not my thing. Every once in a while I got a Zappa vibe.
Weird
I have really tried with this album in the past. He's so great at playing bass guitar and making me not remember his songs. The album sounds very washy and dated. I do not enjoy the humor. I'm tempted to rate 3 purely on technical ability, but hell, I do not enjoy it. 2.
Couple of decent songs
After an incredible opening set of songs like Captain Stupido, this album fell pretty hard and fast. All the songs bled into each other with the same sound and feel and even the (very talented) featured artists couldn't save some of the better songs. I had really high hopes after the first five minutes or so. Real shame nothing met those expectations. 4/5 for some obvious talent and the general weirdness of it all, but it wasn't enough to win me over. 1.5/5.
Is this what happens when an artist has lots of skill, a little bit of talent, but no taste?
Undoubtfully very well constructed, but it needed something more. Didn't grip me.
Thunder thunder thunder thunder ... cack.
after listening to this like one and a half times, i honestly still don't know what to think of it. it defies classification. some of these songs were well-written jazzy jams with clever lyrics and the rest just sounded like the worst hold music of all time (with some really crappy lyrics on top). i found myself stopping a few times and audibly asking anyone within earshot "what the FUCK are we listening to" favorites: blackkk, tokyo (one of the songs with terrible lyrics though), them changes, where i'm going
I just don't like Thundercats music really. Even the songs I saved would probably rank in the bottom 10% of all of the songs I've saved on my Spotify. It seems like the industry and other artists love Thundercat for whatever reason but I just can't get into it. When the album got to the point of him talking about how he loved Dragonball Z as a kid it was time to turn it off
Pretty bad album. only gets the two because pretty good features and some solid jazzy beats
funky, weird, interesting, and hilarious. I can appreciate it but I doubt I'll ever listen to him again. Also, rad album art
This whole album feels like being stuck in the Loading Screen Dimension. I was in a trance, barely paying any attention to this album, until the guy said "I think I'm Kenshiro, I think I'm Goku" and I had to triple-check the lyrics.
# 60 : what? Who? Why? Some weird electronic custard going on Jameel's Space Ride
Bof. C'est pas du tout mon style de musique, même si la liste de collab est fournie, ça me saoule très vite.
Très très bof. J'ai bien aimé certains des feats mais le reste ne suscite vraiment aucune émotion chez moi. Je ne sais pas si c'est parce que c'est trop minimaliste, mais en tout cas ça ne marche pas.
Hmm well it’s certainly unique quite ‘wibbly wobbly’ sounding in my opinion it’s not something I would listen to though 2/5
meh not one for me but them changes is good
Those are some annoying lyrics. Nope.
This feels like someone trying to be Steely Dan. And too many cats.
I don't get the point of this. The whole album gives me an upset stomach.
Sofffft. C'est pas venu me chercher. Bcp de tounes pas longues sur cet album. Des gros feat intéressants pourtant.
Un chill que no me convenció. Tiene el tema del final de Paren La Mano y es toda esa onda 'musica de cortina'.