Returning this album after a long time. I enjoy it more now that I’ve heard it again. It has catchy tunes. Pleasant singing.
It’s a decent album. I find starting from “Mamunia” it gets a bit boring. I definitely might keep a few songs, but as a album I can’t say I like it enough to claim the whole thing.
Highlights: Band on the Run, Jet, Bluebird, Let Me Roll It
An average album. It started out fine. I like the instrumentation in Down by the River, but the rest of the album did not interest me very much. I wouldn’t listen again.
Favorite song: Cinnamon Girl
Least favorite song: Round & Round (It Won’t Be Long)
It it is not at all a bad album, however alternative is a hit or miss for me. There’s a lot of things I can acknowledge being good while not liking it for my personal taste.
Notable hits on this albums paired with catchy tunes. It's otherwise a bit boring. Not insulting to be less than decent though.
Highlights: Shout, Everybody Wants to Rule the World, Mothers Talk
A bit more "pop" sounding rock album. There is some catchy songs on here. However, I find most of it to be somewhat bland. At most it's decent.
Highlights: I Need You Tonight
I liked the beginning of the album a lot. The songs starting and after It’s the End of the World As We Know It aren’t my taste.
Favorite song: Welcome to the Occupation
Least favorite song: It’s the End of the World As We Know It
Really great singing. There are exceptional melodies. I'd say for the entire album, I enjoy about half of the songs to their full potential. The others are a bit weaker.
Highlights: She Has Funny Cars, Somebody to Love, My Best Friend, Today, 3/5 Of a Mile In 10 Seconds
Pleasing vocals. It definitely has enjoyable bits. But not something I’d listen to. Not much else to say.
Highlights: Don’t Fight It, Feel It
I'm not even sure what I want to say. It started off with a bang. I really liked For Tomorrow. The rest of the album, however, just catches me off guard. It's not bad, but I can't find myself listening again when I'm getting my face slapped every second half of each song when Blur decides to go really hard on the music.
The intermission in Chemical World is insanity. You're starting to feel it but Blur does not let you absorb any of it. They just keep going and have the climax be its end. Genuinely surprised.
Highlights: For Tomorrow, Colin Zeal, Sunday Sunday, Villa Rosie
My introduction to metal. I put it on while I’m completing some tasks for the day. And I swear I wasn’t even halfway through the album and when I checked the last song was already playing. It’s not the longest album out there, but time passed by quickly.
For the most part, I liked bits and pieces. I’m not the type who really likes the harder rock and metal sound. So it’s not something I like enough to save, but still decent.
Highlights: Changes, Supernaut, Laguna Sunrise, St. Vitus Dance
It's alright. It's not enough for me to add it to my music library, however it's worth mentioning that in itself it's pretty good. Loretta has a pleasant voice and some good tunes to sing to. I would want a bit more though.
Highlights: Don't Come Home A-Drinkin', I Really Don't Want To Know
I think it's safe to say that I just don't like metal. I can enjoy small bits, but I mostly can't get myself to enjoy it. I also don't like the style of singing that metal sometimes uses. I feel like I'm being held at gunpoint.
Highlights: Holy Wars... The Punishment Due, Five Magics
I’ve already heard this one. It’s an ok album. Not something I would save.
I was expecting to like Brown Sugar more than I actually did. I was introduced to neo-soul through Maxwell (who is amazing) so I had some expectations. D’Angelo is also quite respected in the neo-soul community. I don’t think this album was amazing though.
I found “Brown Sugar” to be groovy, however his singing was a bit monotone. My problem with this album is that it feels like you could groove so much to it, but it’s quite repetitive and the melodies just don’t stick. I do appreciate his singing! Definitely going to relisten in the future. I do think it should be given a few more chancesZ Hopefully I enjoy Voodoo much more.
Highlights: Alright, Me and Those Dreamin’ Eyes of Mine, Shit Damn M**********r, When We Get By
I try to get through albums completely. I try. But I just couldn’t get through this one. Punk is not my cup of tea. I’m not sure how much this album speaks for punk, but I found it boring and hard to get through. It didn’t help that I didn’t enjoy the singing at all.
Highlights: -
I really liked how it began. I wasn't a fan of the vocals 100% of the time, but I enjoyed the melodies and production choices. Personally, I feel like I kind of started to lose direction by the second half. I'm not the biggest fan of the alternative genre (if this is what it is). I might give it another spin in the future.
Highlights: Halfway Home, Crying, Stork & Owl, Family Tree
I like the album cover. I dislike how much noise(?) there is. It sounds fuzzy and it drowns out the singing. I’m not a huge fan of the genre either.
Highlights: -
Aretha has a nice voice. There are some notable songs like Respect. It's there for its historical presence. The sound and production aren't great. You could blame it on the time period. Some songs are just short and seem to have little importance.
Highlights: Respect
I can acknowledge that this is good. However, it's not my taste. Not a big fan of the vocals or the genre.
As something that should be looked at as more of cinematic piece of music that has no partner in film, I think it's an interesting work of art. Perhaps the artist envisioned took inspiration from such idea that it would be featured as a soundtrack. Although it seems to be just that, I do think it is harder to pick out what "scenes" it would have had because there were no actual situations to imagine. I'm impressed with it, but in terms of replay value it's difficult to think about whether I'd like to give it a 3 or 4. But I'll give it a 4, because I believe it deserves at least some credit.
Highlights: -
Always with rock and grunge, my ears don't find the filled in noise of drums and other instruments very pleasant. It's just very loud. Scentless Apprentice was going alright, but the screaming really was not it. I couldn't listen to it with my earbuds as it was going to make my head hurt. I could identify some melodies that I did like. It's still not something that my ears find pleasant.
Highlights: Heart-Shaped Box
This is a nice album. It's a pity that it's not available on streaming services. The voice did become a bit difficult for me to listen to at some point, but overall it's simply a pleasure to listen to. I wish I would've been able to pay more attention to it. But my mind tends to wander with pieces like this.
Highlights: The Bottle
Due to the time it was recorded in, the quality of the recording can be a little hard on the ears. However, this does not reduce the quality of the album based on liking. I think it's a nice album. However, I don't find myself listening to this again.
One of the better rock/alternative albums I heard. First few songs had my attention but I eventually lost track by the second half. This might be the first album of the genre that I might return to. Sometimes things don’t hit until later. But for now, it’s just not something I prefer.
Highlights: Zero, Heads Will Roll, Soft Shock
I did not come in thinking I would like Tanto Tempo. I'm not a fan of her voice. It's calm and soothing but it sounds a bit straight-toned and un-lively at times. I find that it may get boring at some points if you don't pay attention. There are 3 or so songs on here that are boring. But there are some upbeat and groovy songs on this album. It's one of the better albums I have been generated that was outside my comfort zone. I think a 3-star score doesn't do this record justice. A solid 4 seems to be an overstatement for me. So I will go with a very light 4.
Highlights: August Day Songs, So Nice (Summer Samba), Bananeira, Close Your Eyes
I thought it started out pretty well. But it quickly got boring. It felt like the same melodies or something. I couldn't remember much at all except for Clocks. I was hopeful throughout the first 5 songs, but it completely fell by the second half. Perhaps I need to hear it more. It's not something I associate with being horrible, it's just incredibly bland to my ears.
Highlights: Politik, In My Place, Clocks
First eight songs were great. I'm not a big fan of his singing, but I really like the melodies. I didn't like many of the tracks after Sulky Girl. I think the album would've been much better if the number of tracks was cut in half. 15 songs was a bit much. I didn't think it had much more to say. I still have to give it a few more spins before deciding if I want to add this to my library.
Highlights: Pony St, Kinder Murder, 13 Steps Lead Down, This Is Hell, You Tripped At Every Step, Still Too Soon to Know
I never bothered to listen to this record before because I just didn't have any interest in Taylor. She isn't known as a vocalist and I often found her voice to be a bit bland but I enjoyed her singing on this album. Although it wasn't doing very much- it was calm, like a conversation. There were catchy melodies and thoughtful lyrics. I was close to giving this record a 5-star rating. But, I find that I have to experience an album more before I give it such a perfect rating. I kind of use the rating sparingly. So it's a bit scary (for me) to give something new that you don't know so well a good score.
What will reduce it to a 4-star rating is the second half of this album. It's slow-paced and takes more energy for me to pay attention and notice details. It's like I have to work to remember the songs. Nonetheless, still an exceptional record. Definitely calls for another spin later on.
Highlights: willow, champagne problems, gold rush, no body no crime, happiness, marjorie
I may never be a fan of metal. I don't like the style of singing. And overall, it's just very loud. I don't hate it, but I find it pretty boring. I was hopeful because I heard The Trooper at some point in the past and I liked it.
What I did especially enjoy was the solo on 22 Acacia Avenue and the catchy hook on Run to the Hills- however I don't like the verses in either songs. While it has redeeming values, an entire album worth of metal isn't designed for me. But I’m still open for more metal and hoping that it resonates more with me in the future!
Highlights: Children of the Damned, Run to the Hills, Hallowed Be Thy Name
The vocals are actually pleasant to listen to, which I wasn't expecting. The long songs don't intimidate me but it doesn't have replay value. I was a bit worried seeing it was another 1970s rock album but to my surprise I enjoyed it more than others! I definitely think they could have been split into smaller portions. A decent album on my scale, but not enough to save.
Highlights: Yours Is No Disgrace, A Venture
I've replayed this multiple times and I really can't remember much. Even while I'm listening, I'm thinking it has nice hooks and that it has familiar melodies. But I can't connect it to anything in memory.
Highlights: -
Insanely great Introduction (yes). The jazz/blues infusion is so good to the ears. The horns are a wonderful addition. Can't forget to mention the piano and guitar. I also absolutely love the vocals. Despite it being from a genre I don't really listen to, I'm really connecting with it.
But what the heck is "Free Form Guitar"? I'm getting into it but after awhile it just starts to sound like a screeching car. And it goes on for awhile and you're just waiting for something to happen. It disturbs the flow of the album.
While close to being perfect, the second half wasn't hitting like the first half was. It's like "Free Form Guitar" was the section divider for the album.
Highlights: Introduction, Does Anyone Really Know What Time It Is?, Beginnings, Questions 67 and 68, Poem 58, I'm a Man, Someday
I literally was just listening to this. The production is a bit fuzzy which is a testament to the time period. Not a big fan of the singing. It isn't particularly notable. But definitely a great mood booster for the festive time of year.
I didn't really celebrate Christmas growing up because I wasn't allowed to. But I try to make the most of it now. It really is a happy day if you make it that way, celebrate it with people you love or just yourself, and just make it a good time. I don't mind Christmas music, it makes me emotional.
Highlights: Sleigh Ride, Winter Wonderland
Quite repetitive. Vocals are a little too quiet for me. Will have to revisit in the future.
Highlight: -
Genre-wise it does suit my taste more. But, it's still repetitive. Lyrically, it's blunt and it unapologetically speaks for Black pride. I'm one for being proud for your identity and overcoming past atrocities, it's just extremely repetitive. Almost everything I hear about today is progressive in this way and plasters Black all over it. It also has too many songs.
Highlights: -
It’s not insulting to be rated less than average, I just don’t enjoy it. The female vocals are pleasing. My mind wandered quite a bit and I got bored.
Highlights: -
Man I don't like punk. I can't pick up much from the songs and when I did I immediately forgot about it. After awhile it just sounds loud and directionless. I wouldn't rank it as low as what I ranked "Another Music in a Different Kitchen" by the Buzzcocks - this album at least had somewhat decent vocals.
Highlights: -
I don't remember anything. No melodies, lyrics, etc. It really went in one ear out the other in my case. I don't have much to say.
Highlights: -
Unpleasant vocals. Finally female though. Can't digest anything.
Highlights: -
I wanted to like it but I’m not absorbing anything. It’s the feeling where I enjoy parts during the listening process but after it’s all done it’s gone.
Highlights: -
Behold the Queen.
Highlights: The Pros
Lots of energy. So he could perform. Judging solely off of art, I’d give this a 3 on my scale. It’s just OK.
Highlights: -
Bummer that the hidden track on “Baby Girl Window” can’t be heard. It’s not a good format on digital platforms. Not sure if others can hear it.
He has a nice versatile voice. I didn’t expect him to bring out some nice soothing vibrato. But he does beautifully on “Angels.”
I don’t usually listen to britpop. But I like this record quite a bit. Not every record has to be incredibly great. I think this is a feel-good record with decent singing and pleasant melodies.
Highlights: Lazy Days, Angels, South of the Border, One of God’s Better People, Killing Me
Definitely not something I would just play. It requires you to sit down and actually absorb and listen to the details. I’m not the biggest fan of instrumental music. I need lyrics to keep my brain stimulated. Otherwise, it’s a great album artistically.
Highlights: -
