User Albums Journey
Exploring beyond the book, one album at a time
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3.79
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1970s
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Folk
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23
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0
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You Love More Than Most
Albums you rated higher than global average
| Album | You | Global | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| L'Heptade | 5 | 2.82 | +2.18 |
| Fuzz | 5 | 2.87 | +2.13 |
| Diary | 5 | 2.93 | +2.07 |
| Relatives in Descent | 5 | 2.94 | +2.06 |
| Forced Witness | 5 | 2.94 | +2.06 |
| Frosting On The Beater | 5 | 2.96 | +2.04 |
| All Hail West Texas | 5 | 3.01 | +1.99 |
| Silence Yourself | 5 | 3.02 | +1.98 |
| You'd Prefer an Astronaut | 5 | 3.04 | +1.96 |
| I And Love And You | 5 | 3.05 | +1.95 |
You Love Less Than Most
Albums you rated lower than global average
| Album | You | Global | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sublime | 2 | 3.27 | -1.27 |
| God Shuffled His Feet | 2 | 3.03 | -1.03 |
5-Star Albums (23)
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Popular Reviews
Chucklehead
5/5
Nothing much to say, just solid, fun funk with a bit of a bite. I was singing "Retrosexy" before it ended. Even the rap verses (which may be a little too numerous) were fun enough to enjoy. It's not perfect by any stretch, but it's damn good. Favorite tracks: "Retrosexy", "Big Dumb Song"
7 likes
5/5
FINALLY. This one's my submission. If you'll indulge me...
From the spaceship-breaching-orbit opening of "Little Dipper" to gently floating amongst the stars on "Songs of Farewell and Departure", this album has me. The drum break in "The Pod", the sudden tidal-wave-crash of "Why I Like The Robins". There are so many moments I just absolutely love, and crave, from this record.
I realize it's probably not everyone's cup of tea: high-treble metal guitars, over a somewhat-rough singer with a flat affect. It's just always fully worked for me.
Hum was a weird "space rock" band who scored a fluke hit on "Stars", and never managed to reach that apex again. They broke up after "Downward Is Heavenward", the record that immediately followed this one, and reformed in the late 2010s to record what is assumedly their final record "Inlet". I love both of those records dearly (and have a passing interest in "Electra 2000", their debut). "Downward" goes a little more experimental while still keeping the flavor, and "Inlet" marks them as Dune-style desert-rocking space travellers come back to rule.
Hum has just always clicked completely right with me. I feel like it combines the longing and intensity of emo, the reverb and space of space rock, and the headbanging qualities of metal. Deftones, another favorite (who deserve to be on this list, my word), have extolled this record as well, for the loud-quiet dynamic it brings.
Now writing this at the end of 2024, there are a lot of bands who are becoming popular who feel the way I do about this record. It's nice to see, as someone who has loved and preached this record since his teen years. It's music for sad astronauts.
Bonus: here's a video of a very-scared looking Hum performing on Conan back in the day. "Stars" sped up to fill a timeslot and four nerdy-looking dudes clearly out of their element, it's just a fantastic performance.
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=vteNEV1wnEw&pp=ygUPaHVtIHN0YXJzIGNvbmFu
Hope you enjoy this record as much as I clearly have.
7 likes
Screaming Females
5/5
New Brunswick, New Jersey's finest. Maria Paternoster is a fucking demon on the guitar, all sick licks with just that right amount of overdrive. I hesitate because, on a personal note, I'm not sure this is something you "need" to hear. It's great, but it's a hard rock record with some seriously powerful vocals. But fuck it, this list is just a bonus list, and gotta give the hometown people their flowers. Someone throw some Gaslight Anthem or Thursday on this list, please. Favorite tracks: "Ripe", "Rose Mountain", "Criminal Image"
6 likes
Harmonium
5/5
I was able to pinpoint the time this came out after a track or two. Reminds me of stuff that Mike Oldfield was doing. Whenever it shifts genre, it does so really well, in a way that never feels jarring or out of place. I think the language barrier is a bit strong, kind of preventing me from fully grasping the story, but the music does a decent enough job getting me there. Call it a 4.5. Favorite tracks: "Le premier ciel", "Le corridor"
5 likes
GAS
3/5
Ambient music, in it's nature, seems difficult to talk about. It's supposed to fill the background and not made to be focused on, correct? If that's the measure, it's good. Light, airy synths breathe over very, very light pulsing kick drums. I find it difficult to discuss further, since that's my entire impression of the project. It did it's job. Favorite track: "Pop 4"
5 likes
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Alexisonfire
4/5
Extremely 2004. Like, I can imagine hearing this passing a stage, or stage sitting, at Warped Tour. Reminds me of fellow-genre-vets Atreyu, Thrice, and sounds like it was inspired by the likes of the Misfits and thrash metal. It's solid, and I like the bouncing between clean and screamed vocals, it's a nice dichotomy. The guitars are sharp (as was the style at the time). It's not entirely my bag, but I do appreciate it. Call it a 3.5. Favorite tracks: "Hey, It's Your Funeral Mama", "It Was Fear Of Myself That Made Me Odd"
Gotcha!
4/5
Dutch funk, huh? Honestly sounds like all the radio stations decided to brawl it out and came up with this. Sounds like aliens interpreting human music. I like it. Has notes of Fishbone, P-Funk (I mean, obviously), and maybe some jam-heavy tendencies that would fit in with Phish? I think there's some fat to be trimmed, but it did leave me with a goofy smile on my face throughout. It sounds earnest and like the weirdest house party you'd ever attend. Favorite tracks: "Bonesong", "Love O' My Life"
TOOL
4/5
Yeah, why *wasn't* there any Tool on this list? The band that launched a thousand imitators. I consider myself a pretty casual fan, and it's been a while since I listened to this one, but I'd consider either this or one of the next two ("Lateralus" or "10,000 Days") to be the definitive Tool album. It can get a little weak in spots, but it's got the trademark, mind-bending riffs with some noise and middle eastern influences. Shout out "Die Eier Von Satan", a cookie recipe recited in German over scary music. RIP Bill Hicks. Favorite tracks: "Eulogy", "Forty Six and 2", "Third Eye"
LaBelle
4/5
Boogie. Brash. Like bitters in a cocktail, I get a splash of southern rock, but I love the RnB on display here. The vocals are insane, at one point (the end of "Nightbird" maybe?) made me audibly say "wow". Favorite tracks: "Lady Marmalade", "Are You Lonely?", "You Turn Me On"
Type O Negative
3/5
This album reminds me of the smart-but-unmotivated kid in a classroom: when on task, phenomenal. When not, the results aren't as good. It's interesting that this record takes shifts into hardcore punk ("Kill All The White People") and, weirdly, Madchester-esque-rock ("Set Me On Fire"), but it is at its best when performing the atmospheric, deep-voiced goth-metal it seems to be championed for. Favorite tracks: "Christian Woman", "Bloody Kisses"
Ty Segall
3/5
A buddy of mine is very into Ty Segall. Never checked him out. Fuzzy with several zs. Occasionally hits some good tunes, but seems more like a quantity over quality type of guy. Shades of The Beatles at their most overdriven, and maybe QOTSA and Uncle Acid. Favorite tracks: "Californian Hills", "Mandy Cream"
INXS
3/5
Very 80s. Flits between sensual and occasionally recklessly happy (especially the vibe on closer "Tiny Daggers"). Nothing incredible lyrically though nothing terrible, except maybe "Calling All Nations". The early attempt at white-boy-rapping is fun but more of a time capsule ("Mediate"). Not my thing, unfortunately, though I didn't outright hate it when it was on. Favorite tracks: "Devil Inside", "Need You Tonight"
Protomartyr
5/5
Funny enough, I was wearing my Protomartyr shirt when this was revealed. I'm a fan. This wouldn't have been my pick out of their albums ("The Agent Intellect" would have been) but it's still a solid album. The rhythm section acts as the propulsive engine while the guitars craft appropriate atmosphere for Joe Casey's depressed, drunken scholar ramblings. It's oppressive, dour, and I love it. Favorite tracks: "A Private Understanding", "My Children", "Windsor Hum", "Corpses In Regalia"
Haley Heynderickx
4/5
Autumnal as all get out. The most pretentious thought I had was "if Florence Welch got really into Pile". I enjoyed it, but feel like it, at certain points, attempted to be more "impressive" than "good", as in "Worth It", where I love individual parts (that outro!) but didn't find it transitioning smoothly. Call it a 3.5. Favorite tracks: "The Bug Collector", "Untitled God Song"
The Avett Brothers
5/5
I remember this album getting a ton of praise when it initially came out, around the time I started paying more attention to music and what was being critically acclaimed. I never took time to listen to it, but I think hearing it like this made me enjoy it more. It's struck a fine balance between poppish indie folk and genuine Americana spirit. The songs have movements and feel like they fit together perfectly. Can't say enough nice things about this. Favorite tracks: "I And Love And You", "And It Spread", "Ill With Want"
Angelo De Augustine
3/5
I'm normally one to not be bothered by vocals too much, but the vocals on this one started to cloy after a while. It doesn't help that the rest of the album is sparse and leaves them a lot of room. I eventually grew used to them, but I wouldn't say it was anything I overwhelmingly enjoyed. Favorite tracks: "Kaitlin", "Bird Has Flown"
Steven Wilson
4/5
I had a friend who told me this was his favorite artist, and when I realized I'd never heard of him (but had heard of Porcupine Tree), I checked them out. I did not check this album, nor did it particularly pull me in enough to warrant more listens, but now listening to this record, I found myself enjoying it. In parts. Any of the heavier proggy parts, I love. When the record slows down, it's easy to lose track of it. It's clearly steeped in every prog-rock band that came before it, and I think it holds the mantle well, just not entirely my bag. Call it 3.5. Favorite track: "Ancestor"
Alex Cameron
5/5
Recently, I was at karaoke and I watched a drunk man get up, and sing the lyrics from "Never Gonna Give You Up" with "The Hand That Feeds" by Nine Inch Nails as the backing track. He kept a straight face the entire time, breaking maybe once near the end after maybe not realizing how many times the chorus on "Hand" repeats. I kind of feel the same way about this record, it feels like 80s Springsteen with absolutely no filter (especially on "Marlon Brando", where he casually drops the f-slur and, later in the song, muses that maybe he shouldn't be saying that). It's a weird album that constantly finds new ways to shock you (I think my biggest surprise was the lyric that said something along the lines of, "Love never taught me how to vote"). It's an album that makes you want to figure out what the fuck this person is on, or if they're that deep in their persona. The instrumentals fucking slap, too. Genuinely fascinating record. Favorite tracks: "Runnin' Outta Luck", "Studmuffin96"
Bad Religion
4/5
Yet another "how did they not make the original list?" I've always seen BR as more of a singles band, though I like the chances this album takes, especially on a track like "All Good Soldiers". I don't think it feels like a complete album, since the closing track "Skyscraper" (since "Stealth" is just a speech) finishes up and doesn't give any indication that it's the final track. Still, BR is solid, no complaints here. Favorite tracks: "All Good Soldiers", "Modern Day Catastrophists", "American Jesus"
Childish Gambino
3/5
I have a weird relationship with Mr. Don Glover. I do think he's a super talented individual, but I just wish people weren't so quick to fellate him about it. This record has an obvious love for early funk (specifically, I think, P-Funk and anything Bootsy has touched), and while it comes out sounding good, I think it leans a bit too much on the influences. The most popular song ("Redbone") being essentially a clone of "I'd Rather Be With You" is notable. It's solid, I'm just tired of Glover's yowling after a while. Favorite tracks: "Redbone", "Terrified"
The Alan Parsons Project
4/5
An entire album based on the works of Edgar Allen Poe was not on my bingo card, but still a welcome listen. I didn't know what to expect heading in, but I like it. It's a little bit "Tubular Bells", a little bit weird funk, and a little bit movie soundtrack. Neat. Favorite tracks: "The Cask of Amontillado", "Doctor Tarr and Professor Fether"
Richard Dawson
4/5
I bet someone gave The Incredible String Band a five. Jokes aside, this is a super interesting record. It feels both like a wandering minstrel, and someone with access to The Mars Volta (seriously, where does that electronic part come from in "Prostitute"?). I wouldn't have gone out of my way to listen to this otherwise, so I'm glad it's here. A little long, but overall solid. Call it a 3.5. Favorite tracks: "Hob", "Weaver", "Soldier"
Robyn Hitchcock
2/5
Weird, but eventually broke me down. It's sparse, and very uniform throughout. Very British, reminds me a lot of brit pop acts that would come later A little long, could've used some fat trimming. Dude really likes the word "flesh", too. Not anything I'm rushing back to listen to, unfortunately. Favorite tracks: "Clean Steve", "Executioner"
Damien Rice
4/5
I remember taking this record home from the library, and ripping it to my iTunes to grow my music horde. Never actually listened to it, funny enough. It's beautiful. Sparse, but the vocals and instruments are chosen well. I like the woman singing and feel like she should get more credit for her appearances (her name is Lisa Hannigan, for what it's worth). It's an album I feel like I could give another spin to very shortly after finishing it. Favorite tracks: "Cannonball", "Delicate"
The Upsetters
3/5
Sigh. I really want to enjoy dub music, and I do for a time, but a full album of it always causes me to stare off into the middle distance by the end. This is clearly a solid album, because I did enjoy listening to it, just not entirely my schtick. Favorite track: "Underground"
Arctic Monkeys
3/5
Arctic Monkeys have had a fun career trajectory, huh? From garage rock, to an album clearly indebted to Bowie and lounge music. I find this one more of a curiosity, than anything. I was very into early AM, but fell off shortly after the second record, and it's crazy to come back and find them here. It's good, it's just... Nothing spectacular. It does work as space-age lounge music, floating lazily over the anti-gravity cocktails. Don't forget to tip your waitstaff. Favorite track: "One Point Perspective"
Marillion
4/5
Pop sensibilities, as well as the grand, sweeping feeling that comes with neo-prog. Cohesive, and feels like a fully contained work. Call it a 3.5. Favorite tracks: "Gazpacho", "King"
Garbage
4/5
I gave the Garbage debut a 5 on my list, and I think I prefer that one to this one. A few songs just don't stick right with me ("When I Grow Up" is a little too bubblegum for my taste), and I'm not crazy about the songs that interpolate classics (i.e. "Push It" with The Beach Boys, "Sleep Together" with Romeo Void), but the other songs continue the gritty, self-confident pop-industrial sound that I liked so much on the debut. Call it a 3.5. Favorite tracks: "Medication", "Dumb"
The Mountain Goats
5/5
I think I'm supposed to say, "I only listen to the Mountain Goats," here. That being said, I've always been a casual fan, enjoying the singles (especially, yes of course, "This Year") but after listening to this, I can understand the hype. It's simple, but clearly very earnest. I've incidentally read one of John Darnielle's novels, and one thing I always appreciated of him was his ability to paint small, Mid/western America with a gorgeous brush. That carries through here. Favorite tracks: "The Best Ever Death Metal Band In Denton", "Balance", "Distant Stations"
Bran Van 3000
3/5
To say this is multi-faceted is selling it short. I don't really think I heard one repeat of vocalist, let alone genre throughout. It's impressive, but very all-over-the-place, and my mood for it could change depending on what the song was. That being said, the songs flow into one another in such an impressive way that it feels like it took a lot of planning. Feels like a well-curated DJ mix more than a band. Favorite tracks: "Discosis", "Go Shopping"
Igorrr
3/5
Inarguably the most schizophrenic thing I've listened to in quite a while. It's so niche it's crazy. I've been trying to come up with a good metaphor for what it's like to listen to this, where it might flip from low gutteral growls to the fucking Amen break, but I'm at a loss for words. "Interesting" is the only word that repeatedly flashes in my mind. Favorite tracks: "Opus Brain", "Apopathodiaphulatophobie"
Childish Gambino
4/5
Unlike "Awaken, My Love!", which someone else submitted, this one is lead by Glover's rap ability and some banger beats. I don't think it has the strength that the run time would make you think it does, but it does showcase a lot of talent. Favorite tracks: "Sweatpants", "3005", "Zealots Of Stockholm"
Primus
4/5
I believe it's required I start the review with "Primus sucks". That being said, Primus has always been more of a curiosity to me, a showing of talent over any aspirations at making anything that sounds commercial. It's impressive, but I will admit that it does all kind of blend together, with Les Claypool's bass gymnastics kind of wearing on me a bit. It also somewhat falls apart near the end, feeling more like half-ideas than cohesive songs. Call it a 3.5. Favorite tracks: "Sgt. Baker", "Jerry Was A Racecar Driver", "Tommy The Cat"
Amon Düül II
4/5
This is fucking neat. It's considered Krautrock? I don't hear a lot of the hallmarks I would associate Krautrock with. It's way more driving, a bit more psychedelic. I feel like it probably inspired a band like The Mars Volta, who I'm a huge fan of. Requires some further study. Favorite tracks: "Halluzination Guillotine", "Pale Gallery"
Nuyorican Soul
4/5
The word my older millennial-ass keeps coming back to is "vibes" and man, if anything has "vibes", it's this. The blending of genres on this thing is impressive, and the whole record slides through in one extremely cohesive burst that it's impressive. It does occasionally fade into background music, but again, the vibes are just too good. Favorite track: "Runaway"
Godspeed You! Black Emperor
4/5
Apocalyptic. Dark. Almost film-score ish. The record plays some hope near the end, though it's not all sunshine, and has a bit of a militaristic feel to it. There's a lot of space, which can be good, but I think it hits dead air a few times. Makes me very interested to listen to the rest of their catalog.
Tally Hall
3/5
Weirdly, I could place what year this album was from by looking at the band's promo photo. The title and name gave me big 70s vibes, which, after listening, is definitely what they're going for: harmonies that remind me of the Beach Boys, and really swinging for the magnum opus-likes of "Sgt. Pepper's". Occasionally flits into musical theater territory. On a personal level, it reminds me of the band I Fight Dragons if they weren't video-game-dorks and were just regular-dorks. Overall feeling? It's fine. It swings into "bad" territory whenever any of the members try to rap (not that they can't, it's just that it's... earnest but cringe-worthy), and "Banana Man" for being a liiiiittle, well, you know. With all due respect, it makes me think of TV shows like The Office or How I Met Your Mother: twee, adorkable, and maybe just a little too saccharine. Favorite tracks: "Greener", "Just Apathy"
The Weeknd
3/5
I'm pretty sure even the uncontacted tribes of the world have heard "Blinding Lights" at this point. Admittedly, I was very big into the "Beauty Behind The Madness" record, but fell off quickly after. It's interesting to see the progression, while still being very, very dark ("Faith", my lord). I'll admit I'm not as into the trap sounds of, say, Future that I think this record deals in. I can enjoy a few songs but a full album feels like a lot. Despite that, I do enjoy the overall atmosphere. It does feel aptly named, "After Hours": the party has long turned, it's still dark, but you know that's going to change too. It's a tough call, rating wise. I didn't hate it, but the radio singles are so saturated I don't think I can put enough distance between them to justify a higher rating. Favorite tracks: "Escape From LA", "Heartless", "Repeat After Me"
Sparks
5/5
High energy (high kick! high kick!). I'll admit, I hadn't listened to too much Sparks until watching their documentary (I'm a sucker for Edgar Wright), but I can see why they're one of those bands that is favored by music nerds: these songs aren't "radio friendly", but from the first sequence on "Tryouts For the Human Race", I was hooked. A rare album where I restart it shortly after finishing it. Very fun. I have a minor gripe that the final track doesn't particularly feel "final", it just kind of fades, but it's not enough to keep from really enjoying the record. Favorite tracks: "Tryouts For The Human Race", "Beat The Clock"
Billy Squier
3/5
The 80s answer to the cock rock likes of Led Zeppelin, AC/DC, and Bad Company. While that sentence reads like I hate this album, I don't. It's fine, solidly performed, just doesn't move the needle too much for me. Favorite tracks: "I Need You", "The Stroke"
Switchfoot
4/5
I always had a soft spot for Switchfoot. I'm not particularly religious anymore, but they always walked that line between Christian rock without being obnoxiously preachy about it. Plus, that guitar riff from "Meant To Live"? Mm. Choice. I was really loving the first half of this album, but it eventually kind of loses steam, and I think they take a huge swing at guitar-driven pop on "Gone" and the record never really recovers from the folly. Still, I didn't have any song I disliked on side A, and I really enjoy how uplifting and genuine everything is throughout. Call it a 3.5. Favorite tracks: "Meant To Live", "This Is Your Life", "Ammunition", "Dare You To Move"
Jóhann Jóhannsson
4/5
An interesting one. Very film score (hey, this guy did "Mandy", neat), little doom-ish. Frigid. It's pretty but it does get pulled to the background a little bit. I love the electronic flourishes. Feels very Mike Oldfield or Philip Glass. Solid. Call it a 3.5. Favorite tracks: "Sálfræðingur", ""Ég Heyrði Allt Án Þess Að Hlusta""
3/5
I went back and read my review of "Beautiful Freak", since I recognize that this band already had at least one (maybe two?) albums in the book. My opinion hasn't changed all that much: it does remind me of Beck, with the kind of lackadaisical, laid back atmosphere. Lyrically, it's fine? It feels a bit simplistic at times (a la "I Like Birds"). It's a bit twee, and doesn't really leave more of an impression than "90s jangle pop/rock". Favorite tracks: "The Sound Of Fear", "Mr. E's Beautiful Blues"
Sunny Day Real Estate
5/5
There really wasn't much emo on this list. "American Idiot"-era Green Day, Drive Like Jehu... It needs more of this. More Jimmy Eat World, Jawbreaker. SDRE is the bridging gap between melodic hardcore and emo, and God bless em for it. Favorite tracks: "48", "In Circles"
The Jesus Lizard
4/5
This is kind of what I imagine inhabiting Isaac Brock's brain feels like. Crazed. Deranged. Fun, but a little punishing. I think, despite it's short length, it's a lot to take in on one go-around, but I could see myself really growing into this. Favorite tracks: "Nub", "Seasick"
Earth, Wind & Fire
5/5
I mean, man, if you know anyone who doesn't jam with this even a little, maybe consider giving them some distance. It's just a pleasant, fun album that gets your feet tapping. Notes of city pop and some maybe some easy listening, just solid grooves. That bridge groove change on "Let Your Feelings Show" is immaculate. Favorite tracks: "In The Stone", "Let Your Feelings Show", "You And I"
Sampha
3/5
Gorgeously produced. Reminds me of Louis Cole, SZA, and seems especially inspired by Stevie Wonder. Neo-soul stuff is, unfortunately, not my particular cup of tea, but you can at least appreciate a well-made record. Favorite tracks: "Spirit 2.0", "Only"
The Posies
5/5
There are albums where, from the first few bars, you know you're going to like it. This album hit me like that. It has the twee-ness of power-pop with some latent darkness. Very, very 90s. I love the guitar tones, the songs are catchy and change it up in great, unexpected ways, and the vocals are just great. No notes. Favorite tracks: "Love Letter Boxes", "How She Lied By Living", "Coming Right Along"
Men I Trust
4/5
The main thing I take away from this is, "vibes". That's a little dismissive, because it's more than vibes. But at the same time, it's not. There's a really, really cool blend here of things like EDM (a la Deadmau5), 90s R&B, yacht rock... But it all gets put under a strong layer of reverb and gloss. I'm conflicted with this one, because while I enjoyed it, I wouldn't say I had a lot of strong memories about it. I liked it, but I didn't. It's like being dragged into an H&M but finding a cool shirt, in your size, on sale. Does that make sense? Favorite tracks: "Tailwhip", "You Deserve This"
3/5
I saw Pitchfork gave this a ridiculously high rating but never checked it out. The vocals, for all their unflashiness, are solid. I appreciate parts of this record, such as when they dip their toes in what sounds a little like Goldfrapp trying to do a folk song ("Blurred View"). Singer Adrianne Lenker's voice sounds familiar, but I genuinely, for the life of me, can't figure out who I'm thinking of. Feels a little Dolores O'Riordan, Gillian Welch, and several singers I've heard on Mountain Stage. It's... fine? I return my earlier comment of "I like parts of it", and certain parts just do not click with me, such as the extremely repetitive "Sparrow". It's a long, long, loooong album at 80 minutes. It's not something I'm going to come back to. Favorite tracks: "Certainty", "Blurred View", "Simulation Swarm"
Chromatics
3/5
"Sparse" doesn't even feel like a strong enough word. To find out this was recorded in the mid 00s is surprising, it'd slot right in during the early 80s. Very post-punk. A little samey, and vocally isn't the strongest, but it's not bad by any means. It's just not my thing. Favorite tracks: "I Want Your Love", "Tick Of the Clock"
First Aid Kit
4/5
At certain points, ethereally gorgeous. I think the record stumbles around the midway point ("Blue", specifically) and never quite recovers, though the latter half is good, just not as great as the first three tracks. Call it a 3.5. Favorite tracks: "The Lion's Roar", "Emmylou"
Jai Paul
3/5
A frustrating album, if anything. Jai Paul clearly has the skill, but man, is it annoying to hear a thirty second snippet of something that's been in the works for a decade. Clearly influenced electronic music, with the likes of Toro Y Moi and Neon Indian springing to mind. Just... needs to get over the finish line. Favorite tracks: "Jasmine", "BTSTU", "Zion Wolf Theme"
John Mayer
3/5
Quick, fun story: In high school, someone decided to sing "Your Body Is A Wonderland" to his crush at a dance. It... didn't work. I bet you he still wakes up in a cold sweat from that. I hope he feels okay about it.
Anyway. I don't hate John Mayer, but it is frustrating knowing he's a fantastic guitarist that people only know for his pop stuff. Also, that his pop stuff isn't the greatest. This record attempts to tackle some bigger topics (some "Heavier Things", eh?), like on lead single "Waiting On The World to Change", which is fine, if... nothing special, lyrically. Honestly, the best moments on the record are when Mayer flexes his SRV-style, Clapton-style chops. Not every lyric is a clunker, but a good portion of them are. Musically, it gels well. It's well-produced. It's just not changing my world. Favorite tracks: "Vultures", "Slow Dancing In a Burning Room", "Dreaming With a Broken Heart"
Marillion
3/5
A heaping slab of Pink Floyd, Genesis, and Rush thrown into a blender. It's fine, it just doesn't move the needle enough for me. I did enjoy the other Marillion album I got through here. I think the production is the choke point. I was able to get this was mid-to-late 80s from that alone. Favorite tracks: "Waterhole", "Lords Of the Backstage"
blink-182
3/5
I am, in my bones, a pop-punk and emo kid. Dyed in the wool. But I've never particularly gotten the hype for Blink. I did see them perform in 2023 and it was a fun show, but as far as "how they've gotten so big"? Elusive. Being a fan of the genre, I'm aware this was, essentially, the end of their "imperial" era: "Take Off Your Pants" established them as mega stars, this record did well but was generally thought of as lesser, the band disbands. Listening to it now, with the benefit of over twenty years of hindsight, I think I can understand why: this record sounds like Blink matching their peers, maybe sometimes even attempting to keep pace; "Page Avenue" by Story of the Year came out around this, and I feel I can draw parallels to this. Blink takes some swings here and most don't particularly land, the interludes in particular don't feel super necessary. They're at their most fun when they're playing loose, fast skate punk, not playing whatever it is that "Violence" is attempting to be. The record feels very Tom heavy as well. And, as a personal follow up, the +44 record that came out after Blink broke up was, and continues to be, immaculate. Favorite tracks: "Feeling This", "Go"
Death Cab for Cutie
5/5
Death Cab was one of those "one album wonders" for me. I really liked "Plans" but never dug too much further back. Clearly I was doing myself a disservice. The hype around this, for my sad white boy-ness, is completely warranted. Excellent use of dynamics, well performed. Favorite tracks: "We Looked Like Giants", "Transatlanticism", "Title and Registration", "Expo 86", "The Sound of Settling"
The War On Drugs
3/5
Living in Philly, I've heard of The War On Drugs but never given them a spin. Thing one is, holy fuck the production on this is gorgeous. The guitars shimmer, the drums are just the right volume... That being said, the music is... fine. Singer Adam Granduciel sounds like he has a slider, with the ends labeled "Bob Dylan" and "Bruce Springsteen". There's occasionally a dash of Petty in there as well. That's not a knock, I like his voice and the variety it can provide. It's just that the whole record is so subdued that even tracks that you can tell should have a bit more drive suffer because of it. I enjoyed the record, but I think it'd require repeated listens to get the nuances through. Favorite track: "Pain"
Wussy
4/5
I figured this was a mid-90s release, but I'm slightly surprised to find it came out after the turn-of-the-millennium. It's a pleasantly satisfying indie record, with some slacker-ish tendencies. I found myself, weirdly, enjoying every even-numbered track more than the odd-numbered ones. I love the dueling vocals and how they're not mixed to blend together perfectly. Feels like hanging out with your friends who are in a great band. Favorite tracks: "Funeral Dress", "Shunt", "Don't Leave Just Now"
Salif Keita
4/5
Appears I'm lucky that this album is on my preferred streaming platform. Thanks Tidal. Has a good pulse to it, but I'll admit the slower songs lost me, mostly due to the language barrier. Still enjoyed though. Favorite tracks: "Yamore", "Madan"
Susanne Sundfør
4/5
I really dislike using the word "medieval" here, but it does have that feel to it. Slow, patient, very heavy on the story telling emphasis. It's gorgeous. I think the speaking parts laced throughout bring it down a bit, but I think it's something you could, with time, grow to not mind. Favorite tracks: "Good Luck Bad Luck", "Undercover"
Fontaines D.C.
5/5
I actually saw Fontaines DC on the "Joy As An Act of Resistance" tour with Idles. Looking back (a lot longer than I realized), what a lineup. Idles at the height of their power, and Fontaines on the rise. I was impressed with them then, and it's been nice to see them catch so much fire in the releases following. I don't think this is a perfect album by any stretch, there's definitely some fat to trim, but as for debuts go, it's impressive. It may be a bit indebted to the classics: gothic post-punk a la The Cure ("The Lotts"), The Clash ("Sha Sha Sha"). Great writing, great riffs. Favorite tracks: "Hurricane Laughter", "Boys In The Better Land", "Sha Sha Sha"
MF DOOM
4/5
Yet another glaring omission from the OG list. MF Doom is one of the best to ever do it, and one of the weirdos who make the genre wonderful. Favorite tracks: "Potholderz", "Rap Snitches Knishes"
Crash Test Dummies
2/5
Bizarre. Just... Bizarre. Over a boom-bap beat and pianos, baritone lead singer Brad Roberts waxes poetic about how a duck knows to fly south for the winter on "How Does a Duck Know?" It's just... Strange. You never know what you're gonna get with this one, but I think I'm good on whatever it's pushing. Favorite track: "Afternoons and Coffeespoons"
Herb Alpert & The Tijuana Brass
4/5
Got the shoulders shimmying. It's fun, though a few songs on here feel like sketches, an example being "Love Potion #9", which kind of just trails off to end it. I don't think it's perfect, but it's pleasant while it's on. Favorite tracks: "Whipped Cream", "Tangerine", "Lollipops And Roses"
100 gecs
4/5
Hoooo boy I'd love to see people who completed this list, and are unaware of 100 gecs, react to this. It's a lethal dose of radiation from a sentient meme that somehow learned to play pop-punk. I initially didn't "get" 100 gecs, but I later ended up enjoying them cos they're dumb, fun music with great pop sensibilities. You just have to get over the absolute kitchen sink being thrown at you. I enjoyed this, but it may have dipped a bit too much into ska for my liking. Anyone who denies "mememe" being a banger is just not having fun. Favorite tracks: "mememe", "Hollywood Baby", "Doritos and Fritos"
Khruangbin
3/5
Competently played, well written, but ends up being too smooth and slides right into the background, even when you try to focus on it. Favorite track: "Balls And Pins"
GAS
3/5
Ambient music, in it's nature, seems difficult to talk about. It's supposed to fill the background and not made to be focused on, correct? If that's the measure, it's good. Light, airy synths breathe over very, very light pulsing kick drums. I find it difficult to discuss further, since that's my entire impression of the project. It did it's job. Favorite track: "Pop 4"
Chucklehead
5/5
Nothing much to say, just solid, fun funk with a bit of a bite. I was singing "Retrosexy" before it ended. Even the rap verses (which may be a little too numerous) were fun enough to enjoy. It's not perfect by any stretch, but it's damn good. Favorite tracks: "Retrosexy", "Big Dumb Song"
Café Tacvba
4/5
Disco? Mexican music? What sounds like suspiciously like skate/pop-punk? Fucking *industrial*? Yeah, this baby has it all. The singer's voice frequently reminds me of Chris Conley, of emo band Saves The Day, and it does have a bit of a learning curve to get into, but it's very, very fun. Favorite tracks: "La ingrata", "El borrego", "El baile y el salon"
Jimmy Eat World
5/5
I'll try to keep this brief but it will probably be difficult.
"Futures" would be on my desert island disc list, but this is a fucking incredible album in its own right. Band gets kicked off label, and manages to write one of the best emo records of all time, with bonus crossover appeal. I'm, personally, a little tired of "The Middle", but I still enjoy it, and that rollercoaster of a guitar solo, my word. Pure exuberance. The first three tracks (title track "Bleed American", "A Praise Chorus", and "The Middle") might be one of, if not the, best one-two-three in the genre. "Sweetness" has an intense urgency, "Cautioners" a slow-burn gallop, and a song like "The Authority Song" manages to be a wonderful pastiche and an insanely catchy song. Six stars. Ten stars. If you do not fuck with this album, either as a true-blue emo classic or just a phenomenal pop record, dude, how? Favorite tracks: Everything. All of it.
Maldita Vecindad Y Los Hijos Del 5to. Patio
4/5
My initial comparison is NOFX, or maybe Less Than Jake: it's got that attitude and speed that comes with a punk record, but with a liberal amount of horns. It was only later in the record that I figured out this wasn't a ska-punk record, but, like, Los Tigres Del Norte punk record. It's fun. Enjoyed thoroughly. Favorite tracks: "Crudelia", "Querida"
Joan As Police Woman
3/5
Not what I was anticipating. Was completely unaware of this artist prior. It's fine, smokey, slinky jazz and RnB. Didn't really grab me, though it was pleasant enough while it was on. Favorite tracks: "I Defy", "Save Me", "Anyone"
Scraping Foetus off the Wheel
4/5
Abrasive, but that's the point. I'd say it sounds "dated", but I think for industrial, that's fine and within the genre specs. It's performed well, crazed, even. I'd say there are probably one too many instrumentals here, but the runtime is short enough to where the record passes over pretty well. There is some pop songwriting throughout that makes the medicine go down easier. Won me over in the end. Favorite tracks: "Descent Into The Inferno", "Enter The Exterminator"
Vampire Weekend
3/5
I've had it out for Vampire Weekend (unfairly, admittedly) ever since I worked for GameStop in high school and one of the videos played on the piped-in screens was the first verse and pre-chorus of "A-Punk". Or whichever song. After sitting down and attempting to put my biases aside, I find this record to be an exercise in duality. At certain points, the instrumentation is impressive, pulling of some African rhythms and making them sound easy. On the other side, it dips into Paul Simon pseudo-cod-groove. Lyrically, the same: terrible ("Fake Philly cheesesteak / but she use real toothpaste") to lovely ("Nostalgic for garbage / desperate for time"). I worry that my prior bias still shines through, but I just can't help it, especially when the album comes to a gentle halt immediately following "Cousins". Favorite tracks: "Taxi Cab", "Cousins"
The Tragically Hip
4/5
I have seen The Tragically Hip described as "Canada's best-kept secret" and I'll say, I can see why. I enjoyed this, even if you can zero in to the amount of R.E.M. records this band owns (saying that as a fan myself). Vocalist Gord Downie has a light amount of vibrato on his voice that reminds me of Stipe, Adam Duritz (of Counting Crows), and maybe the guys from The Presidents Of the United States of America. I think my only complaint is that I didn't "feel" anything while listening to this: I could objectively call it solid music, but anything after opener "Poets" really didn't hit me as hard. Maybe it requires further study. Favorite tracks: "Poets", "Chagrin Falls", "Membership"
Tame Impala
3/5
I've got a bad habit of being resistant to things I've heard a lot about. Everyone was talking about Rick and Morty, or Adventure Time, and I avoided giving those things a try because I was tired of hearing how I should give them a try. (I later did. They're fine. Not my thing.) Tame Impala is one of those things. Aside from what I've heard from osmosis, I haven't listened to this one (despite seeing the album cover everywhere). I'm not saying I missed out or anything, but I'm saying... that it didn't matter if I waited or not? I don't think my opinion would've changed heavily if I checked this out earlier. It's produced gorgeously, especially the bass tones. The hooks are sticky. I find myself worn out by singer Kevin Parker's voice; it gets samey by track three and becomes white noise a few tracks later. It's something I can see why people enjoy it, it's just not my personal jam. Favorite tracks: "New Person, Same Old Mistakes", "Let It Happen"
Kaizers Orchestra
4/5
I'll admit, for someone who typically isn't bothered by vocals, it took me a minute to get past the ones on this. It feels like a Norwegian version of Isaac Brock, or the singer from The Hives (whom aren't too far, geographically, I guess). I think what kept me around (and allowed me to get used to the vocals) was the excellent, excellent guitar work, at certain points flashing like Dead Kennedys, with heavy influence of surf rock, and psychobilly. I really got into it in the middle, but it somewhat loses steam at the end. It's still a solid 3.5. Favorite tracks: "Dieter Meyers Inst.", "Christiania", "Delikatessen"
Arthur Russell
4/5
Strange, but not in an entirely unpleasant way. I think calling this "pretentious" is a bit obvious, but I do like what it's attempting. Then again, I love reverb and echo, and I can appreciate anyone who has a vision and just fucking goes for it. The vocals are soothing amongst the somewhat-grinding of the cello. Call it a 3.5. Favorite tracks: "Being It", "All-Boy All-Girl"
Phish
2/5
I have a history of being forced to listen to Phish live albums, so I approached this one with the same trepidation you would have calling a family member you didn't want to speak to. I can agree that the members of Phish are incredibly good musicians, but I feel they cross over into the border of "guitar wanking" pretty hard. It's a blur, but there's a track on here that starts out that is, genuinely, technically complex, but doesn't make for actually decent music (in my opinion). I think the live version of "Tweezer" is what everyone who hates jam bands hates about jam bands: it's longer than a sitcom episode (with commercials!), and really could've been wrapped up about eight minutes in. I audibly said, "Oh, fuck off," when I looked at the runtime and found I was eleven minutes in. On the opposite side of the coin, "You Enjoy Myself" is what I can see people enjoy about jam bands: peaks and valleys, but a solid, rising closing to put a nice bow on it. I walk away the same on Phish: the people who are into them are very, very into them, and I am not one of those people. Favorite tracks: "You Enjoy Myself", "Stash"
My Chemical Romance
5/5
This album, told through a few stories:
Sitting in the car waiting for the bus (since the stop was nowhere near my house), "Welcome To the Black Parade" came on the radio, since it was white hot at the time. My mom, who'd probably heard MCR in passing (I really liked "Three Cheers"), noted, "Wow, this sounds a lot like Queen". I, a 14/15 year-old shit head, was like, "No fucking way." Looking back, of course it does. The anthemic vocals of Gerard Way, the Brian May-esque guitar playing of Ray Toro. Like, obviously the whole record is shooting for something like Queen. It's also got other influences, notably, "Ballroom Blitz" for the emo generation in "House Of Wolves", and the cock-rawk school shooter anthem that is "Teenagers", but it drapes them all in a black Thursday shirt and makes them their own.
There was a girl, at the time, who I didn't realize was into me (we were all teenagers once). I hopped on AIM, after school, after she burned me a copy of this record, and she asked me what I thought. I had listened to it once through, and gave her an honest review of "Eh, about a 3.5/5." She promptly logged off and did not talk to me again. For real! Sorry Kelly Rose. Time and distance has shown me: you don't get an album that turns an entire genre on its head every day, and you're absolutely right. Hope you're doing well. Favorite tracks: "Famous Last Words", "Welcome To the Black Parade", "Dead!"
Stars
3/5
Very 00s indie. Gives me huge vibes of bands like Spacemen 3 and Spiritualized. Also shades of contemporaries a la Arcade Fire and Death Cab. It's fine. I liked certain songs, but as a full project, it's a little too subdued for my tastes. Favorite tracks: "Calendar Girl", "Set Yourself On Fire"
5/5
I'd heard of Low when one of their members passed away, unfortunately. I briefly checked out "HEY WHAT" after, because I found the name funny, but didn't dig more beyond that. This is right up my alley. I think the one thing holding me back from shouting praise from the rooftops is it's a little one-lane. There aren't any real heavy tracks here, and that's clearly by design. It's slow, thoughtful. It's very good. Call it a 4.5. Favorite tracks: "July", "Sunflower", "In Metal"
Sufjan Stevens
5/5
I enjoyed "Illinoise" off the list, but I definitely feel this one more. I am lucky to, so far, not have lost a parent, but this is just a gorgeous, heartbreaking record. I love the amount of space everything has, it's produced wonderfully. There are a few hiccups here and there, but not enough to deny giving it a 5 here. Favorite tracks: "Fourth Of July", "Death With Dignity", "John My Beloved"
5/5
FINALLY. This one's my submission. If you'll indulge me...
From the spaceship-breaching-orbit opening of "Little Dipper" to gently floating amongst the stars on "Songs of Farewell and Departure", this album has me. The drum break in "The Pod", the sudden tidal-wave-crash of "Why I Like The Robins". There are so many moments I just absolutely love, and crave, from this record.
I realize it's probably not everyone's cup of tea: high-treble metal guitars, over a somewhat-rough singer with a flat affect. It's just always fully worked for me.
Hum was a weird "space rock" band who scored a fluke hit on "Stars", and never managed to reach that apex again. They broke up after "Downward Is Heavenward", the record that immediately followed this one, and reformed in the late 2010s to record what is assumedly their final record "Inlet". I love both of those records dearly (and have a passing interest in "Electra 2000", their debut). "Downward" goes a little more experimental while still keeping the flavor, and "Inlet" marks them as Dune-style desert-rocking space travellers come back to rule.
Hum has just always clicked completely right with me. I feel like it combines the longing and intensity of emo, the reverb and space of space rock, and the headbanging qualities of metal. Deftones, another favorite (who deserve to be on this list, my word), have extolled this record as well, for the loud-quiet dynamic it brings.
Now writing this at the end of 2024, there are a lot of bands who are becoming popular who feel the way I do about this record. It's nice to see, as someone who has loved and preached this record since his teen years. It's music for sad astronauts.
Bonus: here's a video of a very-scared looking Hum performing on Conan back in the day. "Stars" sped up to fill a timeslot and four nerdy-looking dudes clearly out of their element, it's just a fantastic performance.
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=vteNEV1wnEw&pp=ygUPaHVtIHN0YXJzIGNvbmFu
Hope you enjoy this record as much as I clearly have.
They Might Be Giants
4/5
I've been familiar with TMBG since the Homestar Runner days, and probably before that. I've known they're good for a solid hook. I've never actually listened to a full record of theirs before. I think my wildest take is that it reminds me a bit of krautrock, in a small amount. It sounds like pop music made by robots, and very tightly choreographed. Writing this, maybe it's a bit more musical theater (doesn't hurt that "Protagonist" contains actual stage directions). I can understand why people like it, it's pop music made by true-blue nerds. The wide swath of genres you get always keeps the record fresh and it never feels like it runs on too long. I'll politely nod along, but it's not changing my world heavily. Call it a 3.5. Favorite tracks: "You Probably Get That A Lot", "Let Your Hair Hang Down", "The Lady And the Tiger"
King Tubby
4/5
Had never heard about this artist, but seems like a missed opportunity to explain the history of dub and how much of an impact he had on the Jamaican scene as a whole. Dub isn't necessarily my thing, but as I get older, I find myself enjoying it more. Definitely needs an inclusion on the list. Favorite track: "Corner Crew Dub"
Mogwai
4/5
Gorgeous post-rock. Loses me around "With Portfolio", which was so noisy that it forced me to remove my earbuds until it passed. The album never quite recovers from there, but I enjoyed it enough to probably check out the other material from these guys. Favorite tracks: "Yes! I Am A Long Way From Home", "Mogwai Fear Satan"
Oingo Boingo
4/5
Putting more 80s stuff on a list already chock-full of it is a bold choice. I guess, luckily, it's a fun 80s record. I could see this on the list. It does have a party atmosphere, including lasting a little too long on most tracks. But it's fun. Favorite tracks: "Just Another Day", "Weird Science"
Josh Ritter
4/5
Gives me the feeling of seeing a small band in a large mountain cabin. I think it starts out very strong but loses me in the later half. The final songs are great though. Favorite tracks: "Monster Ballads", "Lillian, Egypt", "Idaho"
Sublime
2/5
I think I'll keep my negative thoughts to myself. The album is well-performed, and while it doesn't gel with me, there are songs that haven't been overplayed to death enough to enjoy. Favorite tracks: "Caress Me Down", "Doin' Time", "Under My Voodoo"
The Hold Steady
3/5
Heartland rock as all get out. I had tickets to see them open for The Gaslight Anthem (my favorite band) before, but unfortunately had to miss the show. Finding out the singer is from Minnesota is surprising, cos you could slot this in with the Jersey Shore Sound pretty easily. Off-kilter, vocals of Thin Lizzy and music of E-Street Band. Might need a while with this one, but it's a bit long and doesn't immediately grab me. Favorite track: "Chips Ahoy"
3/5
I'd heard of this one, but never given it a spin. I think it works best as a proof-of-concept record. The production on this thing is sick, the instrumentals are grimy and overwhelming. I just don't think there are enough "songs" on here to call it anything but a blueprint. Favorite tracks: "Ponyboy", "Immaterial"
Koritni
2/5
Rode this one like a wave, up and down. By song three I was enjoying it. A few songs later I was tired of it. I'm not sure I needed two "Tornado Chasing" tracks. It's fine, played well, but would definitely be flagged for plagiarism if it went through one of those scanners. Copies a bit too hard from the likes of Van Halen ("By My Side") and AC/DC ("Game Of Fools"). Favorite track: "You Vs Me"
Bob Seger & The Silver Bullet Band
5/5
Would be a greatest hits album with the addition of a few songs ("Night Moves", specifically). "Old Time Rock and Roll" was my go-to karaoke song when I was younger, maybe age 7 or so. It's cheesy, but it's fun cheesy, and earnest. Right amount of saxophone sprinkled throughout. No Seger on the original list is a massive overnight. Thanks for correcting. Favorite tracks: "Hollywood Nights", "Old Time Rock and Roll", "Feel Like A Number"
Madvillain
4/5
Not much additional to say about this one. The beats are great, the lyrical skill is clear, and the length is solid. Needs more study, I think. Favorite tracks: "All Caps", "Raid", "Accordion"
The Beautiful South
2/5
I think I'd call this "sophisti-pop", though it attempts to have an edge to it on the first track. I don't think it really lands with me. The songwriting is a bit flat, and I personally have a bone to pick with "Liars Bar", which is about three times the length that it should be. Pass. Favorite track: "Mirror"
Tori Amos
5/5
Another worthy addition missed by the original list. Amos has a fantastic voice, it's just the occasional song that serves up whiplash so hard that takes away from the record as a whole, in my opinion. "Cornflake Girl" to "Space Dog" is just hit after hit after hit after hit. Love the huge focal point on piano, too. Adds an epicness. Favorite tracks: "Cornflake Girl", "Cloud On My Tongue", "Past The Mission"
Cluster
4/5
Interesting in a sort of "retro futuristic" sort of way. Like, "this is what the 70s thought the future would sound like" sort of way. I think it sounds a little jam-ish, a little sloppy. I think if it had sanded off a few of those imperfections, it'd be better. Call it a 3.5. Favorite tracks: "Caramba"
The Burning Hell
4/5
Nerds. I'm not talking "I love the Marvel movies" level nerds, I'm talking "'A Feast For Odin' is my favorite board game" level nerds. I mean that lovingly. The plainspeak-singing of singer Mathias Kom reminds me of Mondo Cosmo, Cake, and weirdly, Jimmy Pop (from The Bloodhound Gang) if he was capable of not talking specifically in dick and fart jokes. I like the ramshackle feel of the instruments. Can't say I've heard much like it. Call it a 3.5. Favorite track: "Barbarians"
Avicii
3/5
I have a deep soft spot in my heart for EDM. I think it's an undervalued genre, and I think part of that stems from being in college when it was at it's peak. I always get wistful thinking about those times, and EDM was usually the backdrop of the (few) college parties I attended.
I asked my brother-in-law (big, big EDM fan) what he thought of Avicii and he said this is the definitive album. And out of respect for him, I'll keep some of the snark. Aside from one point: a lot of these singers sound like they got lost on the way to a Chris Martin soundalike competition, and it's hilarious to me that I thought of that before realizing he's on one of these tracks.
I said to my BIL that it's nice you can tell an Avicii song is his. Glowing pianos, gently propulsive bass drums, some guitar. He tends to mix it up a little bit but still keep the style "his". The Matisyahu track is a HUGE swing that I don't think lands, but it's fun thinking that it exists. The track with Zac Brown works well in a weird country/EDM mashup that would (was?) be popular further down the line, but it is still strange. It's still, also, Avicii. I do like the fact that it's trying to be something more than generic EDM.
That being said, at certain points, this music returns to the background for me. It's good work/workout music, but the lyrics are a bit cheesy (if earnest) and the music does occasionally homogenize. Again, it sounds like Avicii, for better or worse. Favorite tracks: "Broken Arrows", "True Believer"
Harmonium
5/5
I was able to pinpoint the time this came out after a track or two. Reminds me of stuff that Mike Oldfield was doing. Whenever it shifts genre, it does so really well, in a way that never feels jarring or out of place. I think the language barrier is a bit strong, kind of preventing me from fully grasping the story, but the music does a decent enough job getting me there. Call it a 4.5. Favorite tracks: "Le premier ciel", "Le corridor"
Savages
5/5
Run-through-a-brick-wall music. Powerful, intense vocals that remind me of the likes of Siouxsie Sioux, love the production on this. Something is keeping me from giving it an outright 5, but I think 4.5 means I round up. Favorite tracks: "Shut Up", "City's Full", "No Face", "Hit Me"
Screaming Females
5/5
New Brunswick, New Jersey's finest. Maria Paternoster is a fucking demon on the guitar, all sick licks with just that right amount of overdrive. I hesitate because, on a personal note, I'm not sure this is something you "need" to hear. It's great, but it's a hard rock record with some seriously powerful vocals. But fuck it, this list is just a bonus list, and gotta give the hometown people their flowers. Someone throw some Gaslight Anthem or Thursday on this list, please. Favorite tracks: "Ripe", "Rose Mountain", "Criminal Image"
Daniel Bélanger
4/5
Lovely atmosphere. Reminds me a lot of what Radiohead was doing around this time, and the likes of various British trip-hop artists (Portishead most specifically). Made for excellent cooking and reading music, though I was ready to move on by the end. Favorite tracks: "Chante encore", "Intouchable et immortel"
Korn
3/5
A dark, dark record. I like it more than the record that was included on the list initially, but that doesn't mean it's a record I enjoy. It's a tough, abrasive listen, and getting through a full record of it took a lot. I do love how the bass is essentially used as an extra piece of percussion. Tough to say. Favorite tracks: "Helmet In the Bush", "Shoots And Ladders", "Need To"
Extrechinato y Tu
4/5
Without speaking Spanish, I'm pretty sure this is what Metallica and Lou Reed's "Lulu" was supposed to be. Heavy notes of Megadeth and Anthrax. The production and instruments sound dated, and unfortunately I think "not understanding the language" fits a bit here, seeing that it's poetry put to metal. Still rules though. Favorite tracks: "Sueños", "Tres puertas"
Vulfpeck
3/5
Had a buddy who would play this one a lot. I've had it on a lot in the background, but now sitting down and listening to it, I think I can summarize why it never really stuck with me. The musicians on this thing are insanely talented, but they sound like a group that has studied funk, but does not embody or live the funk. It's very sterile. As if you put P-Funk through a Phish filter. Favorite tracks: "Funky Duck", "Beastly"
The Postal Service
5/5
A record drenched deeply in nostalgia for me. Memories of biking around my semi-barren hometown, near all the warehouses, not much care aside from the current moment. I still revisit this one, and while I don't think it's perfect, I think it holds up extremely well. You can understand why every broke Williamsburg resident was blown away by this. Nods to disco, krautrock, and the glitchy drums of Aphex Twin. The few dark spots here (literally, in the case of the slightly-plodding "This Place Is a Prison", and the overly twee "Clark Gable") don't take away from the fantastic work Jimmy Tamborello and Ben Gibbard accomplish here. There's a wistfulness, dreaming of end times while a pop song plays in the background. Call it a 4.5. Favorite tracks: "We Will Become Silhouettes", "Sleeping In"
The Chats
5/5
Chats rule, ok? Favorite tracks: "Paid Late", "Panic Attack", "6L GTR"
The Marcus King Band
3/5
Rhythm and blues in the more traditional sense. Feels like a big band performing. Maybe a little sterile, but I appreciate some of the turns that they take to keep things interesting. Favorite tracks: "Goodbye Carolina", "Welcome 'Round Here"
Louis Armstrong
4/5
The lack of things pre-50s is surprising on this list. We're missing a lot of blues greats, Woody Guthrie... I like this record, but I think it does remind me that I love percussion. It's got a lot of passion and jump to it, but I think some sort of drums would help push it further. Don't know if that was possible, recording in 1925, but just an observation. Favorite tracks: "King of the Zulus", "Struttin' With Some Barbecue"
Bloc Party
4/5
I was surprised to find this submitted, since I only ever really knew "Helicopter", which is a fine song but never made me want to check out more. I'm pleasantly surprised. I love the tones on this thing and, despite being 20 years old, the production on it is great and still holds up. Think the songwriting is bold while still being very accessible. Has that post-punk feel with some more danceability. Think the record hits a lull around "This Modern Love" but it somehow manages to recover near the end. Favorite tracks: "Luno", "She's Hearing Voices", "Positive Tension"
THE SPORTS
3/5
Little bit of Van Morrison, little bit of Elvis Costello. Somehow avoids the dislike I have for both of those artists. Few good songs, but nothing incredibly standout. Favorite tracks: "Live Work And Play", "Don't Throw Stones", "Terror Hits"
blink-182
4/5
Admittedly, I avoided Blink because everyone I knew who was into them was into *only* them and that's it. Plus, my listening of "Take Off Your Pants and Jacket" didn't have me go back for more. I'd imagine it'd be a different story if I went with this album and not the former. Blink's juvenile sense of humor is on display, for better and worse, but their ability to write a pop hook really kills. The switching vocals provide relief that you'll never get too bored or annoyed by one voice. It's a solid album of youthful nostalgia, at least for me. Favorite tracks: "Aliens Exist", "What's My Age Again?", "Don't Leave Me"
Touché Amoré
4/5
The instrumentals feel kind of like Title Fight or Manchester Orchestra to me. The lyrics are plain-spoken and without metaphor, which I enjoyed at certain points but found a little basic at others. I enjoyed it. Call it a 3.5. Favorite tracks: "Skyscraper", "Eight Seconds"