May 22 2022
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Disintegration
The Cure
Oh my gosh, what a first album to get. Truly one of my favorites of all time, an absolute CLASSIC. Re-listening right now :)
Love the atmosphere it generates right from the get-go. There's just something comforting about the two minutes or so of Plainsong, right before it decides to rip your heart out.
Pictures of You just makes me cry. Not sure why, but as soon as it starts, I just well up with tears. Absolutely gorgeous song, especially the instrumental bits.
Closedown's opening is a great break of pace from the previous two, but it still blends in with the rest of the album's recognizable tone. Reminds me very much of King Lear - in that it's something that I think will grow in relevancy as I age. "If only I could fill my heart with love", what a haunting last line, even as the song continues for at least a minute after it.
Ugh and then Lovesong! Honestly, if you ever need to refresh your belief in the concept of True Love TM, this song (and Robert Smith's relationship with Mary Poole) should help you find it again. It's also a nice breather in such a heavy and gothic album.
While Last Dance wasn't on the vinyl, I'm gonna include it here anyways. I'm not the biggest fan of the vocals on it for some reason, but I love the backing instruments, especially whatever's going on in the bass region.
Lullaby creeps me out still to this day. I love it, but something still sits in the back of my mind, freaked out.
The bass on Fascination Street bangs so hard. Honestly, on this re-listen, this is probably one of my favorites so far! Robert Smith's vocals on this are *great*.
Forget what I said about Fascination Street... the bass on Prayers for Rain is even better. I love love love love love this song. It drags you under and just keeps going down. I could listen to this for hours. The outro with the backwards notes is a nice touch.
9 minutes... this song is 9 minutes of depression and I LOVE IT. The Same Deep Water as You just vibes so hard. Sure, the thunder is cheesy but can you really have a Cure album without a bit of cheese?
Disintegration's beginning is a good change of pace once again from the 9 minutes of slow gloom - granted Disintegration has its own special brand of gloom. Huge fan of the instruments once again, they really complement Robert Smith's voice on this track. Especially the steady, hyper pulse that creeps underneath it all. Such a good track.
Again, Homesick isn't on the vinyl but damn it, this is MY listening party and I'll choose if I listen to it or not! As always, the instrumental parts of this album blow me away. The Cure does such an insanely good job of creating an overall atmosphere on this record. Vocals and lyrics hit on this one too!!
Untitled's beginning blows me away again for some reason. I love Robert Smith's vocals on this too, they lock in so well with what the rest of the band is playing and it just works as a fantastic end to such a depressing album. Stellar song, stellar album, stellar band.
5
May 23 2022
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Raw Power
The Stooges
Another album I love but that I haven't revisited in a while!
Search and Destroy is the only song on this that's in my constant rotation, and for good reason. It's super fun, I love Iggy Pop's vocals on this, and it's easy to see how this influenced a lot of young punks with the guitar-work.
I'm a really big fan of the riffs in the background of Gimme Danger. A good deal calmer than Search and Destroy, but still a fantastically fun song to listen to.
The distortion right out of the gate on Your Pretty Face Is Going To Hell scratches the itch in my brain that's been *asking* for something raw on this record. Iggy Pop's voice on this is also insane.
Penetration's weird ass vocals are so fun. I also really like whatever the glittery little instrumental bit behind them is doing. A highlight of the album for sure for me so far.
Honestly, Raw Power is a little tame for being the track that shares it's name with the album. I appreciate what it's trying to do, and maybe I'm too influenced by the harder stuff I listen to, but the only part that really works for me is the last minute or so of the track.
I Need Somebody's guitar-work is fantastic, and I really like this track, especially compared to Raw Power for some reason! I think it strikes a balance between aspects of the album that I like really well.
Again, Shake Appeal is a song I wasn't expecting to love again, but it strikes a good itch in my brain for distortion! Is it silly? God, yes, but I think it fits well with the rest of the album.
Death Trip's got a lot of fun vocals, but something about it didn't really work as much for me as some other parts of the album. Maybe it was the length, everything else was pretty short, while this song clocks over 6 minutes.
4
May 24 2022
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Face to Face
The Kinks
Party Line is a pretty cute little song.
I love the guitar on Rosie Won't You Please Come Home!
Dandy's a cute little song too! I don't have much that I can say about this album yet, but these songs are all very fun to listen to. Definitely something I wouldn't pick out on my own, but very fun stuff that I'm glad I'm getting introduced to.
Too Much on My Mind has such fun harpsichord (I think?) stuff on it, it really compliments the lyrics.
The opening to Session Man (and the harpsichord throughout the rest of it) is Fantastic, I love it so much. Highlight of the album so far for me.
Rainy Day in June's got some really strong moments, including the vocals for me. Great song, with a lot of fun cheese (the thunder is ABSOLUTELY CRITICAL in my enjoyment of the song). Scratch what I said before, *this* is the best one yet!
House in the Country is a nice song, but it's got nothing on Rainy Day. Guitar-work is fun. Grew on me by the end of it all.
Holiday in Wakiki's got a great drum start, but the vocals just aren't here for me on the track sadly. The rest of it is fun!
Most Exclusive Residence for Sale is... fine. I don't hate it, but I also don't love it.
Fancy's got absolutely stellar stuff happening underneath the vocals - which are good as well. But, wow, I'm in love with the stuff happening in the strings!
Another cute little song is Little Miss Queen of Darkness. Expected something, well, different based on the name but all-in-all still a fun little escape.
Just a thought before I talk about You're Looking Fine - the A-side to this album has been much better in my opinion, compared to the B-side. Oh well! Anyways, You're Looking Fine is another song that I'm ok with? Not really anything to write home about in my opinion.
Sunny Afternoon is *that single* so I have high expectations going in. Perhaps that's a mistake. But, I do like this! It's darker than some of the rest of this B-side (at least at first listen), and it's got very pleasing vocals and bass overall. It feels *very* 60s.
I'll Remember is another great song, love love love it.
3
May 25 2022
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Seventeen Seconds
The Cure
Truly, a classic...
A Reflection is such a cool little atmospheric track to open the album.
Play For Today's opening is really amazing and seems so upbeat in comparison to what I know is coming. Robert Smith is heartbreaking on this one, and it juxtaposes so well with the groovy background instruments.
Secrets has such quiet vocals, and it all WORKS so well. The guitar really shines on this, even though its just playing a very simple part. Such a fantastic song.
The opening guitar and bass lines on In Your House are so pretty. The ethereal vocals just float overtop of them in the most gorgeous way. Love the lyrics so much. It just grooves.
Three's opening piano and ambient sounds reaaaaaaaaaaaally make my heart sing. Highlight of the A-side for me.
The Final Sound is such an interesting way to open up the B-side, very dissonant in a satisfying way. And the transition into A Forest is so jarring, it works!
A Forest - one of my absolute favorite Cure tracks ever. A piece of atmospheric, gothic genius. Everything I love about the Cure just locks together on this piece into such a sheer force of *vibe*.
M's such a chill song. Not much to say, except I enjoy sitting back and letting it wash over me.
The distortion on At Night's guitar makes my brain happy, the whole opening is absolutely to DIE for. AND THE BASS THAT DROPS IN HALFWAY THROUGH! WHAT!! It's so hard to pick a favorite on this album, what with both At Night and A Forest...
Seventeen Seconds is such a good closing song. Keeps the vibe, closes out the album without overstaying its welcome.
5
May 26 2022
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The Bends
Radiohead
I had no idea what I was getting into, as I've not really listened to much Radiohead before, but I was pleasantly surprised with this album!
Planet Telex's atmosphere was an interesting introduction to this album. I don't have much to say besides that, and that it had a really fun atmosphere - loved the keyboard parts.
The Bends is ok. Not a favorite track, just sort of there, reminding me of a lot of other classic rock tracks.
High and Dry is another song that reminds me of stuff I'd listen to on the radio as a kid driving through Saskatchewan with my uncle. It's a nice chill song, but I don't see myself revisiting it too much after this.
I love the vocals on Fake Plastic Trees. It's got some really interesting stuff happening underneath the vocals too at some points!
Bones is a lot more in line with the music I find myself gravitating towards, and as such it's been my favorite so far.
I'm a big fan of (Nice Dream), it's really nice and chill with good atmosphere. Which all sound like buzzwords now, but oh well. I'm pretty tired and all I know is that this song is fun and I like the guitar on it. It sounds like a dream, which I assume is the point.
Just is fun, but sort of blends into the rest of the album for me? Not sure why. It might be because I'm a tad tired writing this! The funky little guitar bit around 2 minutes in is wonderful.
My Iron Lung bangs harder than it has any right to and I have no idea why. It's just fantastic.
Bullet Proof ... I Wish I Was has some really cool vocal moments, I love Thom Yorke's voice.
Black Star is something I could see myself appreciating more at like 3AM. It's a good song, but I'm just not in love at this moment in time.
I feel the same about Sulk. Maybe listening to this album in the middle of the day isn't the right time for it!
Love the guitar so much on Street Spirit (Fade Out). This song is such a good closer to the album. I really love it. This and My Iron Lung are the highlights of the album for me by far.
3
May 27 2022
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Parsley, Sage, Rosemary And Thyme
Simon & Garfunkel
Scarborough Fair/Canticle is such a pretty song, I've always loved the tune and hearing Simon + Garfunkel sing it is beautiful. Absolutely sublime piece of music, and a fantastic start to an album.
I love how it shifts suddenly to such a different vibe with Patterns. The drums are mesmerizing, as are the winding voices. What a gorgeous song.
Cloudy is such a sweet-sounding song. I really appreciate how different everything feels on this record.
Homeward Bound feels so full of love. Literally no idea why this album is getting me as much as it is! I'm having a wonderful *wonderful* time with it.
The Big Bright Green Pleasure Machine is fantastic. Is it a little on the nose and unsubtle? Perhaps, but I also watch Star Trek and listen to punk. Unsubtle and on the nose are my cup of tea.
When I first heard The 59th Street Bridge Song (Feelin' Groovy), I thought it was a cover. I'm deeply surprised to know that this is the original Feelin' Groovy!
The instruments are fantastic on The Dangling Conversation, and I know they're not the focal point of this record, but I really loved them on this song.
Another cute little song, Flowers Never Bend with the Rainfall. It's very upbeat, like the rest of the album, and I love the harmonizing on it. Don't have much to say about this song sadly.
Wow, the opening of A Simple Desultory Philippic is *different*. I love it! It reminds me of Subterranean Homesick Blues, another favorite song.
For Emily, Whenever I Find Her is very soft and honestly a little too sappy for me as a love song. No idea why I'm not as into this as I am Robert Smith's sappy love songs, but I'm just not as enamored!
A Poem on the Underground Wall's got some really wonderful instruments behind the vocals. I'm a huge fan of the imagery in the lyrics. What a beautiful song.
7 O'Clock News / Silent Night is a great closer to the album, tying in parallel with the opener. What a tour-de-force of an album. Absolutely blew me out of the water.
5
May 28 2022
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The Yes Album
Yes
The opening to Yours Is No Disgrace is such a jam. I'm less sold on the vocals to be totally honest, but everything in between is fantastic. I'm also enjoying the bass lines a lot. The more of the song I hear though, the less the vocals throw me off. But still, the guitar work >>> vocals in this track.
The Clap is a nice breather after Yours Is No Disgrace.
Starship Trooper is really funky, and I always appreciate a song with movements. The second movement is fantastic, I love the guitar in it. No thoughts, head empty, just vibes.
I've Seen All Good People has some FUN organ work. One of my favorite instruments, honestly. Again, vocals aren't selling me, but the instrumental behind the track is amazing.
The opening to Perpetual Change is AMAZING. I love love love it.
Overall, this was a fun album, with a lot of insanely cool instrumental work that was hampered in my opinion by the vocals. If it was purely an instrumental album, I would have loved it so much more.
3
May 29 2022
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Speakerboxxx/The Love Below
OutKast
Holy cow, what a long album. I don't have the energy to write up comments on all ~40 songs, so I'll just sort of give an overview once I'm done listening.
Speakerboxxx was fine. I'm not really well versed in rap, nor do I listen to it much, but I thought all the beats were fantastic! I didn't love the vocals for the most part, but there were some moments in some songs that had absolutely fantastic rhymes. Gotta say, did not expect to hear Lil Jon on this.
The Love Below was also fine. Honestly, some of the vocals were fun, but overall this record was just not my taste. I can see why it would be on the list, but I don't think I'll be revisiting this any time soon.
2
May 30 2022
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S.F. Sorrow
The Pretty Things
I have no idea what this album will be like going in. Excited though, the album cover is very cool.
S.F. Sorrow is a cool introduction song. The mix on it is fascinating to me, with respect to how the stereo effect works. Very peppy and fun.
I love Bracelets Of Fingers, it's really cool from the get-go. The vocals are really selling this song for me, especially towards the end.
She Says Good Morning is pretty standard, nothing too crazy in my opinion. I like it. The vocals are again really fun! Feels a bit proto-punk but I might be losing my mind.
I LOVE the winds on Private Sorrow. The whole opening is stellar. Favorite song so far.
Balloon Burning's less a favorite, I think the vocals are a bit less great on this one. I do enjoy the guitar work a lot though, especially around the middle and towards the end.
I love Death - what a funky song. The opening and then the muted vocals really work wonders to set up a cool atmosphere. Whatever percussion element keeps beating intermittently wraps up everything in a nice bow.
The drum fill on Baron Saturday is really neat. A very cool and interesting song instrumentally. Absolutely in love with it.
The Journey's got a nice juicy bass part. I appreciate that.
The vocals on I See You have such a really cool effect on them. I LOVE it. The other parts of the song aren't as cool as the vocals, but overall the song is fun.
Well Of Destiny is weird in just the way I appreciate.
Trust is pretty standard for this album as far as I can tell. It's good! But nothing that makes it stand out for me that much.
Old Man Going's opening is very fun, and the vocals are really fun. I love how different the vocals sound on each song, and this is certainly a very obvious difference from some of the other songs.
A much more acoustic song, Loneliest Person is a bit boring in my opinion, but it's also super short which works in it's favor.
I like the instruments on Defecting Grey a LOT, especially with the backwards part. Very cool song, and absolutely SICK guitars once it really hits its groove. It's going to be hard to pick a favorite from this album! This reminds me a lot of the cover of Hotel California by The Moog Cookbook in how it keeps shifting.
Mr. Evasion's intro is super fun. I don't have many thoughts about the rest of the song, but it's fun.
Talkin' About The Good Times is cool. Not much to say about it.
The closing song, Walking Through My Dreams, is really funky. I like the instrumentation on it a lot. It's a good wrap-up for this pseudo-rock-opera.
4
May 31 2022
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Apocalypse 91… The Enemy Strikes Black
Public Enemy
Not much I can say here, as I'm really not well-versed in hip-hop music. However, I think this album is fantastic! There's a lot of really biting political lyrics on the songs, and I think it all works well together as a full album. Favorite song was probably Bring Tha Noize, because I really love the guitars behind the vocals, but as a whole this was a really good dip into the genre for me I think.
3
Jun 01 2022
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Don't Come Home A Drinkin' (With Lovin' On Your Mind)
Loretta Lynn
Again, not really a genre I enjoy... I'm too tired again to do song-by-song commentary. This album as a whole is ok, I don't hate it, but I will not be revisiting it. Very boring country in my opinion. Loretta Lynn has a nice set of pipes, but honestly everything else is not working for me on this album. Get What 'Cha Got And Go is the top song for me, not sure why, but it is.
2
Jun 02 2022
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Hejira
Joni Mitchell
WOW! A beautiful album, with stunning vocals. Tired from travelling, so this will be short, but truly I loved this. Loved the bass so much, didn't know Jaco was on this album until I looked into it more, and he really added a lot on the songs he played in. Anyways, stellar STELLAR album. Favorite song was probably Black Crow.
4
Jun 03 2022
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São Paulo Confessions
Suba
Not much to say here, except that it was nice. Might just be tired, but it was nothing too stand out for me. Favorite track was Abraco because of the vocals.
2