Not really the genre I’m normally into, but it was a fun listening experience nonetheless. A lot of the songs sounded really similar to me, probably because I don’t listen to enough rock music. I was the biggest fan of I Wanna Be Adored, and She Bangs The Drums.
All my opinions are based off my first listen. The first track, Everything in its right place was not my favorite. It was a good intro, it sets the tone, but I don’t feel like there’s much replay value out of it. The second track, Kid A, was a little too experimental for my taste. The second half of the song was a little more enjoyable, but overall not a big fan of this track. The third track, The National Anthem was the opposite in the sense that I liked the first half much better than the second half. I enjoyed the vocals and music of the first half, but the second half was not my cup of tea. It felt almost scary or nerve racking to listen to. However, this is my favorite track so far. The fourth track, How to Disappear Completely became my favorite track so far. I enjoyed the mix behind the vocals, but I enjoyed the vocals even more. The song conveyed a lot of emotion, and was overall powerful. The fifth track Treefingers was completely instrumental. It was a very calming track, definitely a good interlude. Once again, not a ton of replay value. The sixth track, Optimistic, was true to its name. The songs lyrics were uplifting, talking about how giving it your all is always enough, even if you fail. The song is nice to listen to, and one of the better tracks so far. The seventh track, In Limbo was best described as average. At this point in the project, I’m getting very used to the sound, making this track almost blur into the album. Not to say that it was a bad song, it was still an enjoyable listen. There just isn’t much that makes this track jump out at the listener, in my opinion of course. The eighth track, idioteque was a nice change in the sound. It stood out from the songs previous, jumping out with a strong drum pattern. Overall, this song was one of the simpler, yet better listens. The vocals were nice, and the background drum patter fails to be repetitive, dispute their repetitive nature. The ninth track, Morning Bell was another change of pace. The vocal performance was the best so far, and the music was also nice. The lyrics had no meaning to me whatsoever, and has definitely been a trend through the lp so far. The tenth track, Motion Picture Soundtrack was my favorite song so far. Excellent production, vocals, and the lyrics held the most weight and meaning on the lp so far. Overall, it was an amazing listen, and and the strongest on the album. The eleventh and final track, Untitled, was simply a closing track. The music was powerful, and wrapped up the album nicely. My raw reaction to the album is that it was overall not my thing. I enjoyed listening, but it was not something I would choose to play on my own. The tail end of the lp was definitely superior, with it having my 2 favorite tracks, Motion Picture Soundtrack and Morning Bell. Unfortunately Radiohead reminds me a lot of a girl, one that I would rather not think of. That is definitely holding my rating back a little bit, but I will try to rate it as fairly as possible. The lyrics were very interesting to me. If they had any meaning whatsoever, I wasn’t smart enough to pick it up. The music and production were one of the best parts of the project, with the second half of the project being much stronger. The vocal performance was also very strong, and I wish they weren’t so drowned out by the rest of the incorporated sounds. Overall I would rate the album a 6/10, enough to make it my favorite album so far. Which out of 2, would also make it my second least favorite.
Once again, all my ratings are based on my opinion on my first listen. Many albums in the past have taken time to grow on me, and my opinions could change over time. I’m also listening in order, commenting on each track individually. The first track, Talkin’ Bout a Revolution, had nice background music. The vocal performance was strong, and was overall a good opening to the album. The second track, Fast Car, was also a great listen. I’m in the process of driving now, and I could relate to the lyrics of the song quote a bit. Not just the car part, but the overall message as well. The vocal performance was once again good, and this track was another that I liked. The third track, Across the Lines, was very powerful. The message of racism and segregation in America was very strong and the sound was great. The vocal performance was also very good, and this track is my favorite so far. The fourth track, Behind the Wall, was an interlude about domestic violence taking place in the room next to Tracey’s. The police come late and do nothing, until eventually the woman is hospitalized. It was a great interlude that helped push the message of the project further. The vocal performance was well executed and the theme was very strong. The fifth track, Baby Can I Hold You, took a step back lyrically from the last track, but was still powerful. The theme throughout the lp so far has been consistant storytelling, reinforced by powerful vocal performance and good background mixes. This song followed the same formula and sounded amazing while doing it. The sixth track, Mountains O’ Things, was a nice change of pace instrumentally and vocally. The lyrics weren’t as powerful as the last tracks, but we’re relatable and transparent. While listening to this track I could see into the aspirations of the artist, and it was delivered with beautiful singing and instruments. The seventh track, She Got Her Ticket, was another well executed song that got its point across. Tracy remains consistant with her vocals and back track, while continuing to remain interesting and not become repetitive. The eighth track, Why?, was another strong song. Tracy once again remains consistent. The theme of not understanding the world and all its issues and contradictions was very heartwarming and relatable. The lyrics are not complex, but still hold weight. The vocal performance and instrumental continue to blend in with the rest of the lp. The ninth track, For My Lover, was a balled about the dedication of love Tracy has toward her partner. The song continues the same formula, making a strong song, but still failing to separate it from the others. This formula is enough to make a good lp, but not a great one. The tenth track, If Not Now…, took a step performance wise. The vocal and instrumental performances were the strongest on the lp so far. The lyrics were nothing special, but still conveyed it’s message of choosing to love now rather than wait. The song was definitely one of the best on the lp, and holds much replay value for me personally who struggles with indecisiveness and overthinking. The eleventh track, For You, was another balled. This song was not much different than the last balled For My Lover, and was nothing very different instrumentals. It was disappointing as a closing track, and left me wanting more out of this project. And not in a good way. The consistency was definitely present, and definitely showed the potential for a young artist on their debut project. The replay value is much higher than the last 2 lp’s I’ve heard, and I enjoyed it the most. My rating for this album is a 7/10, with my favorite tracks being Across the Lines and the interlude Behind the Wall. I’m definitely excited to hear more from a talented artist.
Opinions are based off first listen, notes are in order of tracks. Track 1, Let the Good Times Roll, had a very good backtrack and vocal performance. It’s definitely from the late 50’s, given that the trumpet is so present in the mix. The lyrics have a good message, and I overall enjoyed the song quiet a bit. Track 2, It Had to Be You, was a very pretty baller type of track. You can hear the Sinatra influence, but it has its on flair of uniqueness. This track had an even stronger vocal performance and the back track was much more to my liking. Track 3, Alexander’s Ragtime Band, was a very lively track. Not much to say lyrically, but the music makes up for it 2 times over. It’s very basic 50’s music, definitely above average, but it’s something I’m not used to. The new change is very welcomed and appreciated. Track 4, Two Years of Torture, once again followed the same formula. However, the formula works for this style if music. I’ve yet to get bored of the blaring trumpets and bellowing of low notes. I enjoyed the pause near the end of the track and the last verse, it was a nice way to wrap up the track. The lyric performance also took a step up in this track, but still not amazing. Track 5, When Your Lover Has Gone, was a beautiful track. Although I can’t relate to the lyrics of my lover being gone, it’s a basic message that anyone can relate to. The trumpets continue on in the background, and the vocals continue to stay strong. The vocal performance on this track however, was much more soft, which was a nice change. Track 6, Deed I Do, had a nice transition from the last track. The instrumental and vocal performance didn’t stand out much. Overall a good track, and it continues to show the artists talent. Track 7, Just For a Thrill, was another quieter song. Good vocals, instruments and lyrics. Overall brings the same energy as the last tracks, but adds the first incorporation of something new. The use of piano and a choir in the background was a nice touch. It made the track stand out in a sea of trumpet. Track 8, You Won’t Let Me Go, continued with the piano and back choir. Another balled type piece with a strong vocal performance. Very enjoyable listen, but nothing stand out about this track. Track 9, Tell Me You’ll Wait for Me, had nothing too special about it. Not much more variation from the last 2 piano incorporated tracks. Overall another good track, showing the artists consistency on this lp. Track 10, Don’t Let the Sun Catch You Cryin’, once again followed the pattern observed in the last couple of tracks. How we this track had much more use of a string instrument, likely harp or violin. This made the track a little more interesting, but still not much of a standout. Track 11, Am I Blue, once again was the same thing. It’s starting to get a little bit repetitive, and I’m enjoying the pattern less and less. I would not be able to tell the last 5 or so tracks apart from one another. That could be because my ears aren’t trained to the sound, but it’s the way I feel about them. Track 12, Come Rain or Come Shine, was Boring. It sounded the same as the last tracks. Good way to close the track, but ruined by the respective nature of the tail end of the lp. The second half of the lp started off strong, but didn’t change much of anything as it went on. This caused the album to get very boring. However, the change from the first half to second half made the lp quite dynamic and interesting. Overall, the album was a fun listening experience, it just left much to be desired. I’d give this album a 7.5/10.