Jan 09 2024
View Album
No.1 In Heaven
Sparks
This was produced by the legendary Giorgio Moroder and it influenced (arguably) the greatest single of all time - Joy Division's Love will tear us apart, so what could go wrong? Well its corny and dated as hell, but I'll give it an extra point for being highly influential.
2
Jan 10 2024
View Album
Nuyorican Soul
Nuyorican Soul
Seeing the names of the all-stars on this album was encouraging, but the songs with vocalists (mainly Jocelyn Brown) are too poppy for my tastes. The few instrumental numbers that lean towards jazz are a significant improvement. Overall, this easy listening latin jazz/pop went down easy, but it left me wanting a bit more substance.
2
Jan 11 2024
View Album
Tranquility Base Hotel & Casino
Arctic Monkeys
This was better than expected, and Four out of Five is a nice crowd pleaser.
3
Jan 12 2024
View Album
McDonald and Giles
Ian McDonald
I'm a big fan of King Crimson so this is a nice find. However, early 70's prog was pretty "out there" and this is no exception and it sounds a lot like early Gong. This is a also bit too folky and and not enough King Crimson for my tastes.
2
Jan 13 2024
View Album
Madvillainy
Madvillain
This album has gotten a lot of love on various lists but I don't get it. The beats and lyrics are pretty run of the mill to me.
2
Jan 14 2024
View Album
Control
Pedro The Lion
This was aight, I get Pearl Jam vibes from the lead vocalist
2
Jan 15 2024
View Album
Relatives in Descent
Protomartyr
I like a good post-punk album, but this was a bit too raw and abrasive for me.
2
Jan 16 2024
View Album
El Circo
Maldita Vecindad Y Los Hijos Del 5to. Patio
Kumbala was cool, but the rest of the album didn't resonate with me.
2
Jan 17 2024
View Album
After Hours
The Weeknd
I tried to like this but the dream-pop, repetitive drum machine and his high pitched vocals really got under my skin. The only redeeming thing about this album was Blinded by the light.
2
Jan 18 2024
View Album
The Beautiful Letdown
Switchfoot
This album was perfectly named, it was indeed a letdown.
2
Jan 19 2024
View Album
Recipe for Hate
Bad Religion
If you're in the mood for some straight-ahead, no nonsence, ol' fashioned punk this is a great record to put on. Unfortunately I wasn't in the mood, but if I was....
2
Jan 20 2024
View Album
Maestro
Kaizers Orchestra
This Norwegian rock definitely has a different vibe to it. I thought Christiania was the best song, very reminiscent of the Red Hot Chillis. I probably wouldn't seek it out but its was a novel listen.
2
Jan 21 2024
View Album
Dimanche à Bamako
Amadou & Mariam
This is one of my favourite World music albums, A&M are great and with Manu Chao producing it, this is just lightining in a bottle. I've been listening to this regularly since 2005 and I never seem to tire of it. Most of the album is killer with no filler.
5
Jan 22 2024
View Album
Discosis
Bran Van 3000
When listening to the first song I thought, wow I really like those Curtis Mayfield vibes! But upon closer inspection, I discovered that it really was Curtis Mayfield! Kudos to DiSalvio for assembling such a notable bunch of legends for this album, but its almost too much of a good thing as it clocks in at over an hour and there's quite a bit of filler. But the good moments do shine.
3
Jan 23 2024
View Album
I Need to Start a Garden
Haley Heynderickx
Not my jam
2
Jan 24 2024
View Album
In the Aeroplane Over the Sea
Neutral Milk Hotel
This album gets rave reviews from everyone so over the years I think I must have tried to listen to it at least a dozen times. I love lo-fi indie music, heck its one of my favourite genres, but for some reason I just can't get into this album, in particular I really find the lead vocalist's voice to be annoying AF. I'll file this under "What am I missing?"
2
Jan 25 2024
View Album
F♯ A♯ ∞
Godspeed You! Black Emperor
If there's a list of the best post-rock bands there are two Canadian bands that have to be included: Godspeed and Do Make Say Think, from Montreal and Toronto respectively. I do love DMST the most but GYBE have their charms. This debut by GYBE is dark and foreboding and I do think their subsequent Lift your skinny fists was better, but this was pretty rad back in the day.
4
Jan 26 2024
View Album
Poesía Básica
Extrechinato y Tu
Well that was a fun listen. Accessible and entertaining.
3
Jan 27 2024
View Album
Tomb
Angelo De Augustine
I see that this guy is on the same Ashmatic Kittly label as Sufjan Stevens, and he definitely sounds like Sufjan lite. I Could Be Wrong is nice, but the samey sameness of every song on this album and his oh so delicate voice gets a bit tedious after awhile.
2
Jan 28 2024
View Album
Rêver mieux
Daniel Bélanger
This album will be good for a dinner party where you want something in the background with not much happening. Unfortunately, it’s a little bit to poppy and bland for me.
2
Jan 29 2024
View Album
Continuum
John Mayer
1
Jan 30 2024
View Album
Nonagon Infinity
King Gizzard & The Lizard Wizard
the first song was pretty good, but then it seemed to continue on for the rest of the album. Very samey samey samey samey
2
Jan 31 2024
View Album
Version 2.0
Garbage
Manson has a cool voice but beyond that this album isn't very exciting.
2
Feb 01 2024
View Album
King Tubbys Meets Rockers Uptown
King Tubby
I'm glad someone suggested this as Dub is sinfully under-represented in the book. This dates from the mid-70s so the effects are somewhat crude but still very effective today. King Tubby basically invented this genre, putting echoes and reverb into the forefront for a psychedelic effect that would probably best be listened to in a hazy room full of ganga smoke. I also love the drum flourish that introduces almost all of the songs. The highlight for me is King Tubby Meets Rockers Uptown which has spectacular reverb action for the drums, melodica and vocals and a remix of Baby I love you so.
4
Feb 02 2024
View Album
Cleopatra
The Lumineers
of course everyone thinks that Ophelia is good, but the rest was pretty meh TBH
2
Feb 03 2024
View Album
Zuckerzeit
Cluster
Comparisons with their fellow Krautrock peers are inevitable and I must say I much prefer the more melodic Kraftwerk or the spacey/prog sound of Tangerine Dream. I think these guys really start cooking when they're joined by Eno, but alas Eno is nowhere to be found on this album.
3
Feb 05 2024
View Album
Weezer
Weezer
Definitely better than other American post punk bands like Green Day, the highlight of course is Buddy Holly
3
Feb 06 2024
View Album
I Am
Earth, Wind & Fire
This is a fun, vibrant offering. It may be a bit too commercial sounding for me but one can't deny these guys are tight and skilled musicians with a knack for writing happy, brassy, funky tunes.
3
Feb 07 2024
View Album
Night Drive
Chromatics
The Chromatics have done some great covers over the years, I'm on fire, Into the black and this album features an absolutely gorgeous version of Running up the hill. This album had a nice transition from Side 1 to an atmospheric Side 2. Great recommendation and a great find!
4
Feb 08 2024
View Album
Fuzz
Chucklehead
This some pretty obscure funk and I notice that most songs only have a few thousand listens on Spotify. Its fun stuff albeit a bit dated and comparisons with Earth Wind and Fire that I just got yesterday are inevitable, unfortunately its hard to compare to EWF.
2
Feb 09 2024
View Album
Apostrophe(')
Frank Zappa
I have mixed feelings about this album, I'm a huge Zappa fan, but this isn't one of my favourites. During this mid-70s period his humour became too sophomoric for me with songs about pee, masturbation and other bodily functions. The only redeeming song for me here is Uncle Reemus which echoes the classic Zappa virtuoustic sound. But seeing as he released over 60 albums over 30 years and this list only includes 1 or 2 albums is just plain sinful. So I'm bumping this up a bit to address this travesty.
4
Feb 10 2024
View Album
Because the Internet
Childish Gambino
I think Donald Glover is one of the most incredible talents around. I just love his TV shows, Atlanta and Mr & Mrs Smith, and his music is pretty fly as well. I’m not a huge fan of rap but I can appreciate the excellent production and performance here
4
Feb 12 2024
View Album
Music For People In Trouble
Susanne Sundfør
2
Feb 13 2024
View Album
The Lion's Roar
First Aid Kit
Considering that I don't like folk I was pleasantly surprised, I didn't love it, but pleasantly surprised.
2
Feb 14 2024
View Album
A Live One
Phish
2
Feb 19 2024
View Album
Vedergällningen
Garmarna
The description said Swedish Folk so I wasn't expecting much, but this was much better than expected. Nice driving rhythms and strong vocals. Thank you to the person that suggested this one!
3
Feb 20 2024
View Album
Oil of Every Pearl's Un-Insides
SOPHIE
Thanks to whoever submitted this offering as I would never have listened to it otherwise. I'm not a big fan of this brand of hyper-pop but I must respect their originality, especially in some of the more experimental tracks.
3
Feb 21 2024
View Album
Dogrel
Fontaines D.C.
I was surprised that this post-punk record came out in 2019, it sounds more like something you would hear in the 80s or 90s. It doesn't really do much for me though
2
Feb 22 2024
View Album
Marvin's Marvelous Mechanical Museum
Tally Hall
I really appreciate how these User Albums expose us to a really diverse range of music that I would never otherwise listen to, sometimes they click but sometimes they don't. Unfortunately this one fell with a thud.
2
Feb 23 2024
View Album
The Best of The Hot 5 & Hot 7 Recordings
Louis Armstrong
Dixieland swing isn't my jam, I'd much rather listen to Be Bop and Hard Bop, but Louis Armstrong's influence on jazz and hell, all modern genres of music is undeniable.
3
Feb 24 2024
View Album
Daisies Of The Galaxy
Eels
3
Feb 26 2024
View Album
Don't Throw Stones
THE SPORTS
1
Feb 28 2024
View Album
Piledriver
Status Quo
1
Feb 29 2024
View Album
Elmer Gantry's Velvet Opera
Elmer Gantry's Velvet Opera
1
Mar 01 2024
View Album
Enema Of The State
blink-182
1
Mar 02 2024
View Album
Racine carrée
Stromae
Very interesting blend of Belgian/French dance/ world music. I must admit that prefer the other great Belgian group Balthazar though.
3
Mar 04 2024
View Album
The Hazards of Love
The Decemberists
Interesting Indie concept album and if I had time to listen to the lyrics/story I may have gotten more out of it, but as someone else said, they are too one dimensional in their sound
2
Mar 05 2024
View Album
Hand. Cannot. Erase.
Steven Wilson
Fans of Porcupine Tree will definitely like this as its basically an extension of that sound. First Regret sounds remarkably like Rush, but the remainder is the driving prog/rock sound that PC is famous for.
3
Mar 06 2024
View Album
22, A Million
Bon Iver
Bon Iver is definitely an acquired taste, and apparently it is something I haven't acquired.
2
Mar 07 2024
View Album
Sublime
Sublime
2
Mar 08 2024
View Album
Englabörn
Jóhann Jóhannsson
This is a very low key entry and its understandable why its under the radar of most listeners. A lovely blend of modern classical, ambient and electronic music. I listened to it 3 times and it got better every time. This one is a grower folks.
4
Mar 14 2024
View Album
Give Up
The Postal Service
DNTEL meets Ben Gibbard and good times ensue. This is a very nice album with some lovely electro-pop songs.
4
May 19 2024
View Album
Carrie & Lowell
Sufjan Stevens
I really loved Illinoise, Seven Swans and Michigan back in the day but somehow I've gotten really tired of his waif-like whisper vocals. Despite all the rave reviews, I think that this album was just ok.
3
May 20 2024
View Album
"Awaken, My Love!"
Childish Gambino
Donald Glover is a formidable talent, his TV shows Atlanta and Mr & Mrs Smith are simply brilliant. Also the single Redbone is arguably one of the songs of the decade. Unfortunately apart from Redbone there wasn't much on this album to excite me, hence it only gets a middling 3 stars from me.
3
Jun 09 2024
View Album
Wild Planet
The B-52's
3