Aug 28 2024
View Album
Apostrophe(')
Frank Zappa
I guess you have to give him credit for knowing when to end the song. I did not need to be reminded to watch where the Huskies... but then he continues to Nanook Rubs It, with its sick guitar licks. Just a really enigmatic album to listen to.
3
Aug 29 2024
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Before These Crowded Streets
Dave Matthews Band
Seems that on a lot of these songs, Dave Matthews is grunting or screaming as if he needed some bran in his diet. He puts a lot of emotional effort into his music, sometimes unnecessarily. It's a good album that I'd listen to again.
4
Aug 30 2024
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Savage Sinusoid
Igorrr
Very surprising. Contains things like accordions, speed accordions, Spanish classical guitars, acoustic guitars, pianos, and... 70s video games samples(?) along with the obligatory screaming. If I was asked to annotate what they're saying, I'd just make stuff up... and I'd be right.
2
Aug 31 2024
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Continuum
John Mayer
A neat album. Modern throwback to clean electric guitar sounds with quite a few great tracks. The Heart of Life is a great, somber track.
4
Sep 01 2024
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Lahai
Sampha
Really smooth, but nothing that evokes any type of emotions, either love or hate. Doesn't really make any promises, but also doesn't disappoint, or worse, offend.
3
Sep 02 2024
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Enema Of The State
blink-182
A really powerhouse of an album with unlimited energy that gives such a good and unfiltered view of young adulthood and it's joys and pains.
5
Sep 03 2024
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The Animal Years
Josh Ritter
Started off a bit dated, but he really picked up his groove. Hadn't heard of this artist before, but he's got a good Dylan vibe to him. The whistling/feedback in Good Man was a bit annoying.
3
Sep 04 2024
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A Salty Dog
Procol Harum
Not really sure about this one. He lacked a lot of energy, and the composition was decidedly monochromatic. I'm not sure what the thunder did, but it was there.
3
Sep 05 2024
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Weezer
Weezer
Wow. No idea that we never had a Weezer album. That's just insane. Pinkerton is probably my favorite of the bunch. And maybe people doing the research got lazy by the time they got to Weezer and Yaz. Who knows? It's just a phenomenal album. Love Surf Wax America.
5
Sep 06 2024
View Album
The Hazards of Love
The Decemberists
It's slow getting off the bat, but it really gets going. I've said I'm not a fan of the silence that extends into the minutes when an album is starting up. The only use case where this works is if the listener has put the needle on the record and is going to get a beer before sitting down to listen. I'm still sticking to that... However, the Wanting Comes in Waves does need an instrumental to follow it. BTW - is there a guide that says a rock opera needs to have organ music. Seems all of them do.... The guitar picking on Margaret in Captivity sounds like Wanted Dead or Alive
4
Sep 07 2024
View Album
Transatlanticism
Death Cab for Cutie
Fourth studio album? Four stars. No other comments. Well, other than Gibbard does have a certain cadence that make it easy to listen to, such as Death of an Interior Designer. Some absolutely great songs, but also a couple of songs that don't quite match.
4
Sep 08 2024
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Come And Get It
Rachel Stevens
I can't get Lullaby out of my head on the song 'it's all about me'. Overall it's not a very good album. These lyrics... Oh, I let you in my back door
You're the one who's creeping
Rough love's so deceiving
... Anyway, I like the Cheryl Cole album much more than this one. It's better than gris gris... is that saying a whole lot?
1
Sep 09 2024
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22, A Million
Bon Iver
It's a very inventive album that seems to overturn a lot of the paradigms of what a song needs to be. Ultimately, however, it doesn't really work for me. A bit mechanical, a bit herky jerky.
3
Sep 10 2024
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Poesía Básica
Extrechinato y Tu
It's pretty entertaining to listen to, but ultimately not something that I would actively seek out to listen to again, however.
3
Sep 11 2024
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Forced Witness
Alex Cameron
Some of the rhymes are a bit... underwhelming.... "hell" and "well"... "good" and "could"...
The music is easy to listen to, melodic. Something that I wouldn't mind listening to again.
3
Sep 12 2024
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Tales Of Mystery And Imagination
The Alan Parsons Project
It's an ambitious album. Very unique. Difficult to listen to, but inventive.
2
Sep 14 2024
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Join Us
They Might Be Giants
They Might Be Giant fans are a very dedicated group. There's a certain cadence to their music that's very boppy, in a good way. Hard to believe they've been around for over 40 years. It's a good album, but I've not seen anything that would think this is a whole lot different than their previous work. It's a whole bunch of short, creative songs.
3
Sep 15 2024
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Sublime
Sublime
A powerhouse of a SKA album. Excellent example of how SKA should be. Enjoyed it very much.
5
Sep 16 2024
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Wild Planet
The B-52's
Very aptly named. A classic sound from the 52s. Great when they are in harmony. Not so great when they aren't.
3
Sep 17 2024
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Squeezing Out Sparks
Graham Parker
Fourth studio album? Who chooses these albums? Melodic, musical, and rhythmic. Shades of Elvis. Very easy to listen to.
4
Sep 18 2024
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Gemstones
Adam Green
I'm not sure what I'm supposed to think about this, and more importantly why I'm supposed to listed to this. the only thing I really liked here was that the songs were very short.
2
Sep 19 2024
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Piledriver
Status Quo
I feel a lot of these 60s and 70s albums were long because they decided... we'll have a section where you can play the drums. Wait, that means you need 30 seconds for a guitar solo... Very formulaic. I'm trying to figure out what this album may represent... not sure, yet.
3
Sep 20 2024
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Pushin' Against a Stone
Valerie June
It's an unbelievably calm album, straddling a few different genres. It's old school, but with a new world feel. Interesting listen.
3
Sep 21 2024
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I Am
Earth, Wind & Fire
Pretty good funky album. I'm pretty sure some of these songs are party staples. Probably not as popular as the Village People, but still pretty darn popular.
4
Sep 22 2024
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Eye
Robyn Hitchcock
Have always liked Robyn Hitchcock. Saw him in San Diego in the early 1990s. He performed Beautiful Girl on 91x as a promo for the concert. He's always been a bit different.
4
Sep 23 2024
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Carolina Confessions
The Marcus King Band
It's a good album. Really like his voice. Music is really upbeat and just very easy to listen to. Nothing over indulgent.
4
Sep 24 2024
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Stranger In Town
Bob Seger & The Silver Bullet Band
Pretty darn good album. Carries the test of time pretty well. Contains a bunch of hit songs, including an iconic song from the movie "Risky Business".
5
Sep 25 2024
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Boys And Girls in America
The Hold Steady
It's a steady album. Reminiscent of a lot of other artists in the genre. Party Pit carried on a bit. I'm sure he's still walking.
3
Sep 26 2024
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Dimanche à Bamako
Amadou & Mariam
Fourth studio album? It's got a pretty good beat. Obviously, I don't really understand the lyrics, but the tone is upbeat, varied, and pretty easy to listen to.
4
Sep 27 2024
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The Lion's Roar
First Aid Kit
A bit twangy and folky. Pretty easy to listen to. However, not something that I'd listen to on a regular basis since it's somewhat melancholic. Worth listening to, however.
3
Sep 28 2024
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Nightbirds
LaBelle
A strong album with plenty of strong voices backed up by some disco funk. Maybe before the disco era.
4
Sep 29 2024
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Tomb
Angelo De Augustine
Light, dreamy, full of instruments, but not overplayed. Nice craftsmanship, if I can say that.
3
Sep 30 2024
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La cagaste... Burt Lancaster
Hombres G
Catchy and upbeat. Very Spanish poppy, if there's such a thing. Would definitely listen to again.
4
Oct 01 2024
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Ænima
TOOL
Really good album from TOOL. Really all that you would expect a metal album to be. Definitely listen to again.
4
Oct 02 2024
View Album
The Best of The Hot 5 & Hot 7 Recordings
Louis Armstrong
I suppose that there is a lot of talent here. However, it's difficult for me to appreciate the quality of the music, given that I'm generally not someone who listens to a lot of instrumental music.
2
Oct 03 2024
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Bloody Kisses
Type O Negative
Why are the lyrics for Machine Screw not available?... and why would they want to remake summer breeze? ugh. It's not so bad of a goth album.
3
Oct 04 2024
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Piñata
Freddie Gibbs
It's a smooth album with some good beats, but the language is just a bit much for me. Somewhere along the way, he samples TLC... a bit weird.
2
Oct 05 2024
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Korn
Korn
Better than most metal albums. at least for me. Is it an album that I should listen to? Not sure.
3
Oct 06 2024
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The Pros and Cons of Hitch Hiking
Roger Waters
The suggestion that I should listen to this starting at 4:30 and ending it with the last song starting at 5:11 is pretty novel. However, as I've said before, you can't/shouldn't have 15 seconds of dead air. Am I going to go bake a pie or something and wait for the music to start? Seems like there's a lot of yelling involved in a bluesy album. I'm not sure what happened to the first nine parts of the pros and cons of Hitch Hiking.
3
Oct 07 2024
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Relatives in Descent
Protomartyr
Fourth studio album anyone? Seems like someone else was paying attention! It's a pretty decent album, but some of the instruments are off for me. Just different. Some in a not so good kind of way. Very heavy. Ultimately difficult to listen to again.
2
Oct 08 2024
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El Circo
Maldita Vecindad Y Los Hijos Del 5to. Patio
very very enjoyable album. Maybe the lyrics were all f-ed up, but I'd like to think they weren't. because how can something sound so festive, joyful, upbeat have bad lyrics?
5
Oct 09 2024
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Englabörn
Jóhann Jóhannsson
It's modern and interpretative. Moody, windy, keying on emotions. I can feel the fibers of the music playing back into the room.
3
Oct 10 2024
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Control
Pedro The Lion
Interesting the back story of this album. Reminds me of a few different artists (Jack Johnson specifically). Waffling between 3/4.
4
Oct 11 2024
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Vedergällningen
Garmarna
I don't think I have an appreciation of this other than it's a Swedish album performed by Indian musicians? Other than being able to understand it, I couldn't really get into the flow at all. Probably difficult to listen to this more than once.
2
Oct 12 2024
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Hand. Cannot. Erase.
Steven Wilson
Fourth studio album? It is unique. I think I like it.
4
Oct 13 2024
View Album
A Deeper Understanding
The War On Drugs
Another 4th studio album? What in the world? Nice and mellow. Nothing too offputting. Enjoyable to listen to. Will probably be the same album 10 years from now.
4
Oct 14 2024
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Marvin's Marvelous Mechanical Museum
Tally Hall
It's got a lot of Ben Folds in it. Pretty decent album. Different than what the title implies. I'd listen to it again.
4
Oct 15 2024
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Moffou
Salif Keita
Upbeat. Good tempo. Glad it was recommended.
3
Oct 16 2024
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All Hail West Texas
The Mountain Goats
Lest any geographically challenged people mock me for this review, the song doesn't match the title! Denton is north Texas, not west. Unless there's a north Denton in west Texas in the similar way that north Bend is no where geographically close to Bend, OR. Jenny sounds like Jesse's girl.
2
Oct 17 2024
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Sailing The Seas Of Cheese
Primus
The only thing I can say about their music is that it's herky jerky. It's difficult for me to follow, and thus, enjoy.
2
Oct 18 2024
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Nonagon Infinity
King Gizzard & The Lizard Wizard
I've heard of them before, but I don't know when and I don't know why. They seem to be an interesting enough group. Not sure that I'd be able to listen to the down under version of Iron Butterfly for too many times, though.
2
Oct 19 2024
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Silence Yourself
Savages
If I didn't know better, I would have thought this was a mix of the Kills and Siouxsie. It's got a really heavy beat that helps carry the dark mood. It's nice.
4
Oct 20 2024
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Fuzz
Chucklehead
Funky and spunky. I'd heard of them, but probably not quite as familiar as Rippopotamus. Meanwhile, Chucklehead has the number of plays in the triple digits still. Get in while you still can.
3
Oct 21 2024
View Album
Loss
Mull Historical Society
It seems to be a concept album of sorts. Musically, there's something lacking. Not sure what it's missing. Maybe rhythm? ugh.
2
Oct 22 2024
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Misplaced Childhood
Marillion
some long songs here. Some songs that are short but sound long. It's decent musically. But with most concept albums or epics, it's just difficult for me.
3
Oct 23 2024
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We Like It Here
Snarky Puppy
A live album recorded over 4 days... Said and done.
1
Oct 24 2024
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"Awaken, My Love!"
Childish Gambino
It's decent. I think if I listened to it a few times in a row, it might grow on me, but nothing really popped for me. Nothing too catchy.
3
Oct 25 2024
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Go Farther In Lightness
Gang of Youths
The most popular song is also the longest song. It has a decidedly Beatles sound. To be fair most songs can probably be traced to a Beatles song somewhere.
3
Oct 26 2024
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Blink-182
blink-182
Probably not as good as their previous albums. Solid, but nothing too outstanding. Stockholm Syndrome Interlude just seemed indulgent. Maybe I just didn't understand it.
3
Oct 27 2024
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Dogrel
Fontaines D.C.
Pretty decent punk rock... on the television screen...
3
Oct 28 2024
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F♯ A♯ ∞
Godspeed You! Black Emperor
Hmmm... not sure I understand it.
1
Oct 29 2024
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Zuckerzeit
Cluster
I'm not sure I understand this one, either. It sounds like a bunch of songs you might hear at a carnival, with other instruments.
2
Oct 30 2024
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World Of Echo
Arthur Russell
Didn't really get anything special out of this. Not looking for anything unique, but it should have something that captures the attention or moves the soul or calms the spirit.
3
Oct 31 2024
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Silent Alarm
Bloc Party
Lively and energetic. Has a good energy to it, with nice melodic hooks. Very 2000s.
4
Nov 01 2024
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Kick
INXS
Just some really good songs on this album. It doesn't have all my favorite INXS songs, but still really powerful. The way need you tonight goes straight into mediate is simply, very cool.
5
Nov 02 2024
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People
The Burning Hell
Its a fun album. The fact that it's not too complicated or sophisticated makes it even more enjoyable. Maybe you just need to be in the mood to listen to it?
4
Nov 03 2024
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Give Up
The Postal Service
Just an excellent album. Not sure why they decided to cover Phil Collins, but I guess Rivers and Ben like to cover other songs.
5
Nov 04 2024
View Album
Elmer Gantry's Velvet Opera
Elmer Gantry's Velvet Opera
It's got a lot of energy and a lot of spunk. Sounds almost live, but without the background noise. I'll give them the benefit of the doubt.
4
Nov 05 2024
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A Live One
Phish
Such a shame. A live album. As mentioned before, these tend to be a "best of" that's interspersed with background noise that isn't what the artists intended.
1
Nov 06 2024
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Ultra Blue
Hikaru Utada
It's clubby with a lot of pep. Couldn't understand the majority of it, though. Most likely not go back to it.
3
Nov 07 2024
View Album
Contra
Vampire Weekend
The island sound reminds me of Poi Dog Pondering. California English kind of hurt my ears. Fairly melodic throughout, though.
3
Nov 08 2024
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1, 2, Kung Fu!
Boy Azooga
Pretty good. Got lots of things going on in it. The organ/synthesizer was interesting.
3
Nov 09 2024
View Album
Pop
GAS
Fourth studio album: check
Seven songs seventy minutes: check
Sequentially numbered pop songs that I'll never remember: check
Looks like we're ready for launch.
I wonder how long it would take for me to memorize this to the point that I could accurate identify which song is which. How many notes would it take me?
2
Nov 10 2024
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Home Sweet Home
Kano
You and me sitting in a tree... ugh. I can't rate anymore.
3
Nov 11 2024
View Album
Diary
Sunny Day Real Estate
Pretty good. Reminds me a little of Stone Roses. And I guess that's a bit of the problem. I'm trying to find a reference point for them, which is ultimately not the goal, right? It's good, but not sure how many more times I'll listen to it.
3
Nov 12 2024
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Madvillainy
Madvillain
It's got a bit of throwback to it, but ultimately, there's not so much in it. Is the intent to sample anything where "villain" is mentioned?
3
Nov 13 2024
View Album
Racine carrée
Stromae
its upbeat, energetic without being too over the top. It does have a "club" feel to it, but I like the way he's able to weave different styles/genres into this album. Great recommendation.
4
Nov 14 2024
View Album
In the Aeroplane Over the Sea
Neutral Milk Hotel
Really very enjoyable. Melodic with appropriate use of non-"traditional" instruments on a pop album. Oh comedy takes about 20% of the album, and didn't really need to do so. But otherwise, good.
4
Nov 15 2024
View Album
Version 2.0
Garbage
Listened to this all the way through the very first time. There's a certain excitement to opening a CD, and this cover was especially interesting because it was textured and tactile. Crazy, I know.
5
Nov 16 2024
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Nuyorican Soul
Nuyorican Soul
What a nice album. Makes you want to move. And dance. And bounce. I am the black gold of the sun was delightful.
5
Nov 17 2024
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10,000 gecs
100 gecs
Excellent. It's like a SKA version of they might be giants. And really enjoyable. Sounds like a band that's having fun doing what they love.
4
Nov 18 2024
View Album
Maestro
Kaizers Orchestra
The tone of the album is really good. Nice energy and spirit. Interesting to listen to.
3
Nov 19 2024
View Album
Because the Internet
Childish Gambino
An outstanding 282M views on youtube music! It's a rich album, lots of content, lots of themes and really expansive. Nicely composed.
4
Nov 20 2024
View Album
Leak 04-13 (Bait Ones)
Jai Paul
Interesting beats. It sounds much better than some of the finished albums on this board. Seems like this was more of a passion project than a job to him. Thumbs up.
3
Nov 21 2024
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Frosting On The Beater
The Posies
Decent album. A few interesting songs, but drops off pretty quickly. Definite door has a good sound to it.
3
Nov 22 2024
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When Smoke Rises
Mustafa
Very melodic and hypnotic. A short album, but one that doesn't waste time with anything indulgent. Sharp and crisp.
5
Nov 23 2024
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McDonald and Giles
Ian McDonald
I was only able to listen to side A of this project. Not sure if side B carries a different tune, but this overall sounds a bit dated. Really very drum heavy and tries to carry the album with this. Hopefully others had a better shot at finding and listening to the full album.
2
Nov 24 2024
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Game of Fools
Koritni
I get a big taste of David Coverdale and Whitesnake in this. Maybe a bit of Poison. Fender heavy and just classic 80s rock components. Released in the 2000s. Zoinks.
3
Nov 25 2024
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The Beautiful Letdown
Switchfoot
Fourth studio album. My math says that 14% of all the albums on this list are 4th studio albums. Do bands come into their own the 4th time around? Is third time not the charm?.. This is your life seems more in place next to Policy of Truth by Depeche Mode. Overall a good, safe choice for this list.
3
Nov 26 2024
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The Black Parade
My Chemical Romance
Can anyone say, GUITAR HERO? Welcome to the Black Parade is a great song. Definitely more on the harder side of rock, and I'm glad it wasn't a rock ballad. Rest of the album is pretty strong as well.
4
Nov 27 2024
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A1A
Jimmy Buffett
I'll give them a pass with this 5th studio album. I'm sure there was an album in there that shouldn't have been made. This album carries the Buffett sound, one that would sound better along with some surf sounds and clinking beer bottles (yes, I get the irony). He apparently didn't consult Christopher Walken. There's cowbell in here, but it could use more.
3
Nov 28 2024
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Come On Come On
Mary Chapin Carpenter
Guess which studio album release number? Is it four, Alex? I guess the genre is listed as country, but it certain crosses multiple realms. She's got a strong voice and carries the songs without much effort. Most of the songs are great. Love "I take my chances."
5
Nov 29 2024
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Night Drive
Chromatics
Pretty cool album even if it's only a 3rd studio album. Really unique and modern tracks, and the vocals support the music well. It was an interesting take on Running up that hill. However that one track has more listens than all the other tracks combined. I wonder if the album would have been better without that cover?
3
Nov 30 2024
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Young Team
Mogwai
I'm not really a big fan of songs that start off with a sample from TV or something similar, like a telephone call. Even with Pink Floyd's Young Lust, they wait until the end. Overall, it's difficult to keep my attention to this album. I get a great drum riff, followed by a dishwasher?
2
Dec 01 2024
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Dead Man's Party
Oingo Boingo
Saw them in concert at SDSU's amphitheater. Fantastic show. Fantastic album. Really energetic. Love "Stay". Probably the best on an album full of great songs. Too bad it's a 5th studio album. I'll give them a pass.
5
Dec 02 2024
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Dilate
Ani DiFranco
The twang reminds me a bit of Jewel and the overall album reminds me of Freedy Johnston. It's a well put together album. Very easy to listen to.
3
Dec 03 2024
View Album
Discosis
Bran Van 3000
It's got a good soulful beat. Some of the lyrics are outstanding!
See Kermit the Frog was one day daydreaming
Thinking about himself at a red light
With that it-ain't-easy-being-greenin'
And the cars behind him kept honking and honking
And Kermit's last words as he flipped the bird
Was, Damn you Muppets just keep on taking!
See I've got my own things now so stop tooting
I do my lily pad jumping
Miss Piggy bumping
Lotta Miss Piggys and that's all good
And I'm gonna turn this red light
Into a block party
So we can get down in basics of what?
4
Dec 04 2024
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Mm..Food
MF DOOM
As a concept album about... food(?), it doesn't seem to be a whole lot about food. I mean, is OJ even a food? Gumbo is a clever use of wrap and wrapper.
4
Dec 05 2024
View Album
Stage Four
Touché Amoré
Fourth studio album. Yes! Released on the 24 of 2016, which are both divisible by 4. There's also a song called Eight seconds! Ultimately, it's not really that great of an album for me. Seems fairly formulaic and without much emotion.
2
Dec 06 2024
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Nurture
Porter Robinson
I'm not sure the purpose of dullscythe... bothered me. The other songs on the album were decent. Look at the Sky was good.
3
Dec 07 2024
View Album
Ruin
The Amazing Devil
It's a very "dramatic" album with plenty of musical gravitas. A lengthy album that doesn't really reach beyond that, however. Makes a lot of use of acoustic guitars to give it that additional oomph. Interesting. The last song put it into the 4 range for me.
4
Dec 08 2024
View Album
Dragon New Warm Mountain I Believe In You
Big Thief
I like the lead singer's voice. It's unique. Makes you pay attention. There's nothing subtle about it. Reminds me a bit of Margot Price. Some of the lead ins to the songs were too overly complicated. Even though it's long, it doesn't really seem that way. Glad it was recommended.
4
Dec 09 2024
View Album
Re
Café Tacvba
Very cute. Lots of really neat Mexican instruments used which is the only thing that can provide it with the unique sounds... to run, to have, you know it was me the other day...
4
Dec 10 2024
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Yeti
Amon Düül II
There's a bit of India in this German album. It doesn't really bring too much of the hard core metal that I may have been expecting, but also doesn't really stand out on it's own in many other ways.
2
Dec 11 2024
View Album
Djarimirri
Gurrumul
It's dramatic, well composed, and moving. However, it's difficult to listen to. There are more than a few start and stops, but that sometimes adds to the drama and the suspense.
3
Dec 12 2024
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Rêver mieux
Daniel Bélanger
It kind of started to blend together for me around song 4. He's got a pleasant enough voice, but the composition of the music was mostly flat tending towards dreamlike sequences.
3
Dec 13 2024
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Peasant
Richard Dawson
I appreciate the effort to tell a story from different angles, but the very first song really put me off. Was it two minutes of farting? No. It was two minutes and eighteen seconds. So I'm fair and continued listening. but none of the songs seem to connect to me. "No One" was unpleasant. Not sure why it was included.
2
Dec 14 2024
View Album
We Rock Hard
Freestylers
Wow!! So much energy in this. Wish I hadn't had that Mountain Dew earlier. Keeping me warm on this cold day, though. That's for sure.
3
Dec 15 2024
View Album
Don't Throw Stones
THE SPORTS
They've got a real Origin feel to them. I guess one of the influences at the time was INXS, which makes sense that a lot of the bands at the time would have this type of sound. Upbeat, uptempo, energetic. Interesting. Glad it was recommended. I still don't like that there are 10 seconds of silence before a song starts. Can someone tell me what that silence is for?
3
Dec 16 2024
View Album
Out of the Blue
Debbie Gibson
One thing I've learned from this list is that not all albums, and in fact few, may qualify as the one album you would have if you were stranded on a deserted island. But in the sense that this is upbeat.. and it's not five Bjork albums. The pop melodies are catchy and it provides a good representation of 80s pop.
4
Dec 17 2024
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Afraid Of Sunlight
Marillion
A little interesting. A little weird. A little like Oingo. But ultimately, some songs were a bit too rough around the edges.
3
Dec 18 2024
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Phantom Power
The Tragically Hip
I could only find the deluxe edition, which was three hours long. It's a good album. I think one hour would have been enough.
3
Dec 19 2024
View Album
Alive Or Just Breathing
Killswitch Engage
it's all encompassing and consuming. It you break it down into constituent parts, it's pretty formulaic.
1. indecipherable screaming
2. rapid, rhythmic drums
3. speed metal guitars
4. pungent bass
The big difference here is that *gasp* there are times when you can understand the lead singer past the beast's growls.
3
Dec 20 2024
View Album
Recipe for Hate
Bad Religion
Man with a mission has the drum line from What's so funny about peace love and understanding... Bad Religion executes with a lot of passion and energy. Tons of spark. I just don't like that there is a lot of inconsistency. All Good Soldiers tries to bring a ska flair, but then they just totally abandon it. Then watch it die brings in a marching band for the first 30 seconds.
3
Dec 21 2024
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Bleed American
Jimmy Eat World
Note: 4th studio album. Gots lotsa catchy melodies and choruses (chori?).. didn't realize they did a John Mellencamp cover, then it turned out the Authority Song isn't a cover at all.
5
Dec 22 2024
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O
Damien Rice
First heard Cannonball when it came out. Such a pretty song. The rest of the album falls in the same vein. Soft, classical. His voice isn't overwhelming, and the accompanying instruments don't drown him out. Everything is laid out naked, without being able to hide anything.
4
Dec 23 2024
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Animals
Pink Floyd
It's a very classic Pink Floyd sound, with maybe a bit more Floyd than usual. Just enough cowbell. Some people consider this a masterpiece of theirs. My personal tastes defer slightly. I consider this a 'mood' album.
3
Dec 24 2024
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Currents
Tame Impala
Reminds me a bit of OMD, if anyone remembers them. Less ethereal, but still a lot of that synthpop action going on. The Less I Know the Better is obviously a standout on the album.
4
Dec 25 2024
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Somewhere In The Between
Streetlight Manifesto
I love the energy that comes from classic SKA. Along with Reel Big Fish, Rippopotamus, Skatalites, Fishbone, No Doubt, Specials... they're great as well. Mo ska = mo better. Really nice choice.
4
Dec 26 2024
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Sing To God
Cardiacs
Another fourth studio album? Wow. That was one long album. I'm not sure I fully understood it. Mind is still processing what it was about. I guess the chances of me listening to it again are fairly slim.
3
Dec 27 2024
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Real Life
Joan As Police Woman
It's pretty raw and emotional. Powerful and strangely hypnotic. There's an occasional reverb of her voice that makes you want to keep listening. Really liked the upbeat tempo of Christobel.
4
Dec 28 2024
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No.1 In Heaven
Sparks
It's a lot of synth pop. At an average of over 5 mins per song, its a good album to have if you owned a club.
3
Dec 29 2024
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Blue Is The Colour
The Beautiful South
It's a unassuming album. Not sure it's carried the test of time, however. I'm wondering even back then if it had a lot of traction.
3
Dec 30 2024
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The Rise And Fall Of A Midwest Princess
Chappell Roan
It's poppy and upbeat. In some ways, it's like Lorde, but a bit more upbeat, such as HOT TO GO. Interesting listen.
4
Dec 31 2024
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Tranquility Base Hotel & Casino
Arctic Monkeys
Sounds very typical of their music. I didn't really get too much of the title track. Seems like it was difficult for them to make it flow with title.
3
Jan 01 2025
View Album
Music For People In Trouble
Susanne Sundfør
Simple, sincere, soulful. The sound of war and the title track didn't really do much for me. Overall, some of the introduction to these songs leave me wanting a bit more.
3
Jan 02 2025
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Come On Over
Shania Twain
It's a good poppy country album. Easy to listen to, albeit very formulaic, but I guess that's why there's a formula for this kind of stuff. Would listen to it again.
3
Jan 03 2025
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Cleopatra
The Lumineers
It's folky and honest. Angela is probably one of the better songs on the album, even with the big hits, Cleopatra and Ophelia. I enjoyed the straightforward nature of this album more than others.
4
Jan 04 2025
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Oncle Jazz
Men I Trust
I almost get this as a slower, softer, more subtle version of the Bee Gees. Numb especially sounds like How Deep Is Your Love. I hope I'm not spawning a copyright fight. I almost feel zenlike after this. Maybe I'll listen to some Enya now.
3
Jan 05 2025
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Carrie & Lowell
Sufjan Stevens
It def sounds like an NPR album. Does Fireflies sound like Should Have Known Better? It's a smooth and even album. Nothing really stands out for me.
3
Jan 06 2025
View Album
Things We Lost In The Fire
Low
Hmmm... not really what I thought I expected from an indie album, but I guess that's the point. Whitetail didn't really do a whole lot for me. And it didn't really seem to get much better from there.
2
Jan 07 2025
View Album
A City Dressed In Dynamite
That Handsome Devil
It's a bit uneven. There's some energy early, but it sort of devolved a bit to be maybe not really listenable. Wish I could like it a bit more.
2
Jan 08 2025
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Chet
Chet Baker
I think this would be a perfect zone out album. You really need the time and space to zone out to appreciate this. That's really difficult.
3
Jan 09 2025
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Set Yourself On Fire
Stars
Hmm It's not what I expected from an indie album. One from Canada, no less. But I must confess that I like it a lot. It's got some catchy aspects and the mood is elegantly upbeat.
4
Jan 10 2025
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Boxer
The National
Fourth studio album? His voice is very commanding. He's got presence, that's for sure. Got a lot of U2 in the first song. The drums starting and stopping. Squalor Victoria sounds like something... Can't place my ears on it yet.
4
Jan 11 2025
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L'Heptade
Harmonium
I think there's context that's needed for this album to really be appreciated. There's passion in the music, but muted. It's an easy listen, but probably not something that could be done so repeatedly.
3
Jan 12 2025
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Gotcha! Gotcha! Gotcha!
Gotcha!
Ah, these guys are from Haarlem. I used to live near Haarlemeerstraat on a street called Legmeerstraat. How convenient. This house music reminds me of a few places. Will need to play this at my next rave.
3
Jan 13 2025
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Stories
Avicii
Wow! Top 4 streamer on Spotify. I've heard of Avicii, but can't remember hearing the 2B streamed song. The album has good energy. Overall very positive. Glad it was recommended.
4
Jan 14 2025
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Live in San Francisco
Thee Oh Sees
OK. You probably know by now how I feel about live albums. I love to listen to them, but they shouldn't be on a list of this kind. But my criticism might not be founded for this one. There isn't excessive noise in the album, and given that I hadn't heard of this band before, and the nature of garage bands, live might be the best representation. This is very nice.
4
Jan 15 2025
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MOMENTUM
Calibro 35
I think I like it, but I'm not really sure. It certainly has the energy and is simply easy to listen to. But it ebbs in and ebbs out like a cat. I'm allergic to cats.
3
Jan 16 2025
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Pop Art
Transvision Vamp
Gretting and demanding is how I'd describe the top song on this album. Really enjoyable... However, it's "Tell That Girl to Shut Up" is the song that brings a smile. OK. The message is... violent. But it's a great song. But really, it's a song about friendships, isn't it? Overall pretty decent album.
4
Jan 17 2025
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I Need to Start a Garden
Haley Heynderickx
Starts off like Frente. Very mellow. A bit ethereal. Evokes a sense of dreaminess... nothing I associate with starting a garden. I need some RATM when I'm digging a new garden plot.
3
Jan 18 2025
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St. Jude
Courteeners
Hadn't heard of this band, but it's a decent album. No you didn't no you don't is good. As is not nineteen forever. Pretty short album, but long in substance.
4
Jan 19 2025
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Angel Dust
Faith No More
It's been a while since we've had a fourth studio album. I don't feel that this one stacks up as neatly as some of the others on this list. The singer's voice seems weird on Caffeine. Maybe that's the point. Didn't understand RV at all. Didn't fit in.... And Easy... wow. didn't even bother to put their own spin on it.
2
Jan 20 2025
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Get Fucked
The Chats
I guess I shouldn't judge an album by when it was released. Good punk is good punk. But maybe I'm removing a star because they've had so much inspiration to draw up, and ultimately, there's nothing new here.
3
Jan 21 2025
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From The Lions Mouth
The Sound
The Sound sound a lot like old school Cure. Interesting listen.
4
Jan 22 2025
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Goat
The Jesus Lizard
Hmmm... monkey trick has a Pixies feel to it. A bit of a debaser feel... but doesn't really have the hook. The rest of the album doesn't really hold too much appeal. I'll save my stars for another album.
2
Jan 23 2025
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WORRY
Jeff Rosenstock
Rainbow is an interesting song. Has a frenetic SKA sound to it, but still very enjoyable. 17 songs over 37 minutes is also good. No need to prolong something into 37 minutes for one song. Enjoyable listen.
4
Jan 24 2025
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Funeral Dress
Wussy
Pretty good band. Album was an easy listen and had a unique sound for the band. Would totally listen to again.
4
Jan 25 2025
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Pony Express Record
Shudder To Think
These are long songs. At least they sound like long songs. Didn't really get any vibes that this had anything special. Didn't really do much for me.
3
Jan 26 2025
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Human Racing
Nik Kershaw
Pure 80s goodness is what this is. Very simple formula. Lots of synth with accompanying instruments lead to one huge track and many likeable songs.
4
Jan 27 2025
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Nail
Scraping Foetus off the Wheel
Fourth studio album! Yeah! It's a weird album to listen to. A bit difficult at times, also. I guess ultimately, it's not an album I would go back to often.
2
Jan 28 2025
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Don't Say No
Billy Squier
Another one for the tape deck. And there are certain songs that you crank. Lonely is the Night is one of those. Just good rocking music.
5
Jan 29 2025
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Daisies Of The Galaxy
Eels
Have always love the Eels since Novocain for the Soul was included on 94.5 The Edge Sessions. They've always had a simple, acoustic sound that brought easy to listen to harmonies and uncomplicated tones. Their music is large soapy bubbles. Sound of Fear is a great tune.
4
Jan 30 2025
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King Tubbys Meets Rockers Uptown
King Tubby
Another instrumental album. A couple in a row. As with most instrumental music, I need to be zoned out and zoned in only to this. It's fashionable enough, I guess.
2
Jan 31 2025
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Puzzle
Biffy Clyro
Fourth studio album! Fourth studio album! Fourth studio album! Sounds a bit like JImmy Eat World, or maybe they sound like Biffy Clyro. Good album.
4
Feb 01 2025
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The Great Outdoors Jam
Pigeons Playing Ping Pong
Live album... and they're playing Ghostbusters. Oye. All 14:16 of it. I actually like the music. Good psychedelic funk. But... as with most live albums...
1
Feb 02 2025
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Hammersmith Odeon, London '75
Bruce Springsteen
If I'm going to listen to a live album, I want to bathed in noise and enveloped with the perfume of ganga. There are some great hits here. And it's a good album. I've already learned how to count from one to four. Thanks.
1
Feb 03 2025
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Choirs Of The Eye
Kayo Dot
There's one small part of the album where it sounds like they're playing classical Spanish guitar and I thought, this could be changing around for the better. Nope. It's just difficult to get through.
1
Feb 04 2025
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Live At Madison Square Garden
Vulfpeck
The formulaic, expected bass songs are familiar, warm, groovy, and good. My first car is quite entertaining. I think there are three words in it? Is Ugh a word? It must be miscredited, because the studio version has more lyrics than this. And Tesla is an entertaining song with all the horns. As entertaining as it is, it's a live album, which, with exceedingly rare situations, is provided with a standard score.
1
Feb 05 2025
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Watch Out!
Alexisonfire
Pretty decent. Lots of screaming. I hope he's ok after a set. I like that it's not all screaming. Ultimately, I think it lives up to what the band should be about.
3
Feb 06 2025
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Rose Mountain
Screaming Females
In Broken Neck, she sounds a bit like Gwen Stefani, but the cadence or rhythm is somehow a bit off. Some of the tone and intonation are dead on, however. There's also a bit of Throwing Muses in there somewhere. Wishing Well and Criminal Image are good, but there's really not much in between.
3
Feb 07 2025
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You'd Prefer an Astronaut
Hum
You'd think I'd be more aligned with this album given that it has a song called the little dipper, aka ursa micro. But other than stars, I didn't get much from this album.
3
Feb 08 2025
View Album
The Universe Smiles Upon You
Khruangbin
Very mellow and easy to listen to. The guitar work makes it sound an awful lot like Santana, without the rockiness of it. Would like to give it four stars, but it's probably not something that I'm really ever going to go back to very often.
3
Feb 09 2025
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The Evil One
Roky Erickson
very interesting. Starts off with a bunch of terrifying song names... two headed dogs, zombies, alligators, vampires... but ends with ghosts. Overall, it's approachable, like a $20 bottle of wine.
3
Feb 10 2025
View Album
Symbolic
Death
As with most things in life, to be an expert, you've got to pay attention to the details of your craft. The experts for death metal have deemed this a great album. As someone who doesn't regularly listen, it's tough for me to differentiate this and any of the others. It's very different, and requires a certain attentiveness that I lack.
2
Feb 11 2025
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Emotional Mugger
Ty Segall
Diversion is probably the best song on an otherwise uneven album. I'm going to take a stab at what w.u.o.w.t.s means. Wayne understands ordinary words this song.
3
Feb 12 2025
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Hadestown
Anaïs Mitchell
Fourth studio album!!! Go album! It's decent. Not really sure how many more times I'm going to listen to it, though.
3
Feb 13 2025
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Oil of Every Pearl's Un-Insides
SOPHIE
Pretty cool album. Lots of energy. Electronic beats are entertaining, and it isn't all the same thing over and over again.
3
Feb 14 2025
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Under The Pink
Tori Amos
I'm more a fan of "God" than "Cornflake Girl". The other songs are pretty decent, but a little uneven.
3
Feb 15 2025
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After Hours
The Weeknd
lol. 4th Studio album. It's unique, energetic, with a few fun samples. I'm amazed that some of the greatest albums have a total listen of all the songs of maybe in the tens of thousands. The least listened to song on this album is in the mid 10s of millions and the most is almost 4b (and only on one platform).
4
Feb 16 2025
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Act IV: Rebirth In Reprise
The Dear Hunter
What madness is this? A 6th studio album but listed as Act IV? Pretty darn long. But pretty darn good!
4
Feb 17 2025
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Grace And Danger
John Martyn
I don't really think this album carries the test of time very well. It's mellow, composed, but dated. Tough to think that I'll revisit.
2
Feb 18 2025
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Brat
Charli xcx
Pretty neat album. It has good energetic beats. A really unique style.
4
Feb 19 2025
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Operation Ivy
Operation Ivy
Wow. Just really cool sounding. Frenetic, angry. Just what a punk band should be. A whole bunch of short, sweet songs. Should have made two albums. There's also a nice component of SKA mixed in here as well.
5
Feb 20 2025
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Whipped Cream & Other Delights
Herb Alpert & The Tijuana Brass
Zoinks. I can only see 1980s sitcom TV. This is frightening to me. Having said that, there's a bit of courageousness to have a band like this... and to recommend this album.
3
Feb 21 2025
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Spilt Milk
Jellyfish
pretty good. Reminds me a bit of ben folds. the Ghost at number one is a great song.
4
Feb 22 2025
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Grand Prix
Teenage Fanclub
really like this album. It's interesting. Has really good composition, melodic. The progression of the songs, as well as within the songs, is nice. Very easy to listen to.
4
Feb 23 2025
View Album
God Shuffled His Feet
Crash Test Dummies
Afternoons and Coffeespoons is probably the best song on the album. mmm mmm mmm is really good as well. His voice is very unique, but it's difficult to listen for an entire album. It's very deep and resonating. Some of the songs at the end of the album also trailed off a bit.
4
Feb 24 2025
View Album
Songs Of A Lost World
The Cure
First time listening to the entire album. This is exactly what you'd expect from Robert Smith, and yet have it be new and fresh. Good find.
4
Feb 25 2025
View Album
Super Ape
The Upsetters
It's a long album. As I've said before, you really need to be in the mood to listen to reggae. And I suppose I'm never that stoned. Not that a little occasionally is a bad thing (I mean the music). But a whole album needs something. Pass the dutchie on the left hand side, please.
2
Feb 26 2025
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Mad Dogs & Englishmen
Joe Cocker
A live album... some really good tracks. Not sure why superstar is on this. Carpenters were great with this song, and it doesn't even sound like Cocker was even in this song. Read my other reviews about why live albums don't belong here.
1
Mar 05 2025
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Sound Awake
Karnivool
not terrifyingly bad. not terrible, either. I guess it's saying the same thing. Not a whole lot going on with this album that I could get.
3
Mar 06 2025
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Les deux doigts dans la prise
Les sheriff
Damn! This is really good. Too bad it's a live album.
1
Mar 07 2025
View Album
HELLYEAH
HELLYEAH
Quick question. Is there someone or someones whose job is to build heavy metal fonts, or do they do it as a side project. You could write Liberace in heavy metal font and you would know that it's a metal album. As far as albums go, this has all the elements of metal. Heavy drums, fast, chaotic guitars, almost indecipherable lyrics, some screaming, Wonderful!
3
Mar 08 2025
View Album
Homogenic
Björk
A singularly unique artist with a singular style. Almost a staccatic like voice. She has a bit of range, but the music just doesn't give it much freedom. A few too many albums on this list.
3
Mar 09 2025
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Not Animal
Margot & The Nuclear So And So's
Mellow. Kind of a Jack Johnson feel. There's someone else, but I'm not recalling right off the top of my head. It sounds like the story behind the music is more interesting than the music itself, even though the album(s) is pretty decent. Not really sure what Hello Vagina is all about, but there are a few double entrendres mixed in there. Pretty decent little song. The end of the song reminds me of Eels(?)
4
Mar 10 2025
View Album
Metallic K.O.
The Stooges
This was recommended by Anthony Bourdain. At least the concept of the Stooges was big for him. Anyway, it's decent. Too much noise and no noise all at the same time. I could do without it.
3
Mar 11 2025
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The Monitor
Titus Andronicus
Really liked this album. Unique, but identifiable. Glad it was recommended.
4
Mar 12 2025
View Album
Look Sharp!
Joe Jackson
Just a fantastic album. Love "got the time". Everyone knows that a breakup album sells and in the pantheon of breakup/unrequited love songs, "Is she really going out with him tonight" ranks right up with "Dance away" by Roxy Music as some of my favorites. But this album is so much more than just this.
5
Mar 13 2025
View Album
Weighing Souls With Sand
The Angelic Process
It's a tough listen, and one that I didn't make it all the way through. I think set against up against a visual background, it may have more appeal, but it felt to me that I was walking through a dark museum exhibit where I couldn't really understand what was going on.
1
Mar 14 2025
View Album
Lift Your Skinny Fists Like Antennas To Heaven
Godspeed You! Black Emperor
I don't really know what to make of it. I often ask myself if I need to be in a mood to listen to a certain style of music. This one is tough to categorize. It's long, first of all. It's predictable. It doesn't really elicit any excitement. Tough to rate this one.
2
Mar 15 2025
View Album
Lateralus
TOOL
I know some people who are huge TOOL fans. TOOL is also very good at what they do. The music is compelling, but it's not something that I ever really listen to much.
3
Mar 16 2025
View Album
Once
Nightwish
This whole album seems like a cross between Bohemian Rhapsody and Enya. There's just way too much going on with it. It sounds like they're trying to figure out where to insert a new instrument. The irony is that there is no cowbell!
2
Mar 17 2025
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Bob Mould
Bob Mould
Is this a Peter Gabriel situation? This is the "hubcap" album? He's got an interesting history, but this album doesn't really hit any high notes for me.
3
Mar 18 2025
View Album
All Hour Cymbals
Yeasayer
The title of this album is a pun, right? All Our Symbols, since this is a religious piece? Altogether, it's easy listening. Not too much to get in the way of the tone.
3
Mar 19 2025
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The Lonesome Crowded West
Modest Mouse
I guess I'm just not a fan of the mumbling over muted strumming. Seems like it's required to have a little "encouragement" to enjoy this album.
3
Mar 21 2025
View Album
Cor-Crane Secret
Polvo
OMG. OMD! Morphing into Stone Roses. Not really a fan of the vibrato interlude during the first third of the song. Vocals are way too muted. And finally, a bit too indulgent. And this is only the first song. Couldn't really get any of the lyrics for the rest of the songs. But I can say that "Can I Ride" is probably the best of the bunch.
3
Mar 23 2025
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Sometimes I Sit And Think, And Sometimes I Just Sit
Courtney Barnett
First thoughts? Love the title. Really unexpected. She's got a cadence that makes it really enjoyable to listen to. Really like Dead Fox. Great suggestion.
5
Mar 24 2025
View Album
Souvlaki
Slowdive
Mellow. Mellow. Mellow. Marshmallow. It's soft. But not as soft as soft serve. Very Enya like. Difficult to listen to past a certain point.
3
Mar 25 2025
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Clarity
Jimmy Eat World
Sweetness is the most popular song on this album without a doubt. Lucky Denver Mint is also quite nice.
3
Mar 26 2025
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City Of Evil
Avenged Sevenfold
Over 3 beats per second? As Susan Pewter would say, "Stop the Insanity!" I'm usually not a big metal listener, but this one is interesting. The most listened to song (Seize the Day) is a ballad with the obligatory extra long guitar solo that has notes so high only dogs can hear them. Very ironic.
3
Apr 01 2025
View Album
Ungodly Hour
Chloe x Halle
Really nice beats. Harmonious. Elegant. Easy. Relaxing. Haven't really heard of them before, but I'd say from this album that I could easily become fans.
4
Apr 02 2025
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An Empty Bliss Beyond This World
The Caretaker
I really don't feel that I listened to this album. As it connotes, it is ambient music. Not much to experience.
2
Apr 03 2025
View Album
L'autre...
Mylène Farmer
It's pretty. She looks like Reba, but doesn't sound anything close to Reba... The album is interesting. but really seems trapped in the 80s/90s techno-pop of Kylie, etc...
3
Apr 04 2025
View Album
Comfort To Me
Amyl and The Sniffers
hmmm... pretty gosh darn interesting. Does the world need another punk album? the beats are healthy, energetic, sweaty. Lots of passion here. Security is a really good track.
4
Apr 05 2025
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In Between Dreams
Jack Johnson
A really fabulous album
5
Apr 06 2025
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Fashion Nugget
CAKE
Some good tunes on here, but when the second biggest song is a slightly different version of the original... sigh. It's a good rendition, but I would have expected more.
3
Apr 07 2025
View Album
Emotion
Carly Rae Jepsen
It's pretty decent, a bit derivative, but very listenable. Not too sacchariney. Maybe a bit jaded from Call me maybe, but I'd listen to this again.
4
Apr 08 2025
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For Emma, Forever Ago
Bon Iver
Very calm and peaceful. Easy to listen to.
4
Apr 09 2025
View Album
Up
Great Big Sea
Unexpected. Didn't expect an Irish album from a Canadian band. The old black rum seems typical of a song crafted for a rowdy night of revelry at the local pub.
3
Apr 10 2025
View Album
Millennium
Backstreet Boys
Dear lord. 2 billion listens to I want it that way... and this is only on youtube music. I don't think I want to know how many plays it has on other platforms. It's a good song and very catchy. Show me the meaning of being lonely is arguably better with the spanish guitars... and that only racks up at 450m plays. overall... seems over produced and doesn't really carry the test of time.
3
Apr 11 2025
View Album
Romance
Fontaines D.C.
Thank you! For choosing yet another fourth studio album. I've never actually heard of this album, but it's good. Very easy to listen to.
4