Jul 07 2022
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Dookie
Green Day
4
Jul 11 2022
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Trans Europe Express
Kraftwerk
Inspirational. It’s incredible a couple of people created these sounds almost out of nowhere. I respect what Kraftwerk was able to do, but not my style
4
Jul 12 2022
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Debut
Björk
I have never listened to Bjork before. She is often labeled avant-garde, but this album felt fairly straightforward pop and electronic dance with some jazz and rock flavors thrown in. I love her voice. It is very visceral and sensual throughout the album. I enjoyed the flow and storytelling of the album. I also enjoyed how she painted the more intimate moments with jazz (love the Jimmy van Heusen cover).
4
Jul 13 2022
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25
Adele
She has a classically trained voice, which is raised by the professional production. There is more depth to the mood of the album than an average pop album. The album is piano and string driven. The songs with drums act as high points to the album. The guitar driven song is a nice breath in arrangement near the end. The album is bookended by two stand out songs. The middle gets washed out in mood from too many similar feeling songs.
3
Jul 14 2022
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The Soft Bulletin
The Flaming Lips
The lush arrangements provided by this alternative band trades guitars for strings and a myriad of other instruments. They’re going for pop music through the lenses of quirky, heartfelt songs. All of this is driven by bombastic drums, which makes this an enjoyable listen.
4
Jul 15 2022
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Truth And Soul
Fishbone
I have never listened to Fishbone before.
This album was a fun listen. The singer had a lot of energy and put that energy in each song. That being said the flow was very disjointed. There’s ska, punk, heavy metal, funk… but Fishbone was entirely able to balance those flavors as an overall flow.
The album is a collage of the life of the band and it is a fun ride.
3
Jul 18 2022
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Crime Of The Century
Supertramp
This became so much better through headphones. There was so much depth in audio headspace. “Bloody Well Right” is one of my favorite songs I love, but forget about. I always remember “Dreamer” to be a lot poppier than it is (I love when the main melody comes back under a heavier arrangement at the end). The vocals are mixed a little low throughout for me, but to great effect to bring you in for the more intimate moments. Supertramp’s multiple lead vocalists work to great effect.
4
Jul 19 2022
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Younger Than Yesterday
The Byrds
I’m in the 60s!
The Bryd’s bring their vocal harmonies and jangly guitars. Besides the first track and some of the moodier tracks there weren’t any standout tracks. The album doesn’t flow song to song as a big picture, but more gives snapshots of each feeling. They were able to bring their rock and roll, country and moody psychedelia together coherently.
3
Jul 20 2022
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Abbey Road
Beatles
Most albums can be reviewed in a big picture, but I could talk about every song on Abbey Road up until the medley in length as if they were each albums.
It’s incredible this was The Beatles’ last effort. In their run, each one of the members strove to improve their craft on ever single album. Of course John and Paul grew, but George really comes into his own voice here. Even Ringo’s effort is more well spoken.
This is their magnum opus. They put thought in each song and the flow of their entire album. This isn’t my personal favorite Beatles album, but as this is their effort to the world.
5
Jul 21 2022
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Black Holes and Revelations
Muse
I've never listened to Muse because I was skeptical of the hype surrounding them. This is album is an epic listen. The instrumentation is very creative and evocative throughout. His voice is incredibly effortless. I get the sense the album had an overarching theme.
Sounds like: Radiohead, heavy Smashing Pumpkins, romantic/classical, White Stripes
Standout tracks:
"Take a Bow" was a great intro.
"Starlight" of course is a bopper
"Invincible" and "Knights" had epic moments
4
Jul 22 2022
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Gunfighter Ballads And Trail Songs
Marty Robbins
This is the kind of country I like. Marty has a lovely baritone voice - not twangy.
Not much variety in arrangement. You can tell the emphasis is much more on storytelling. Standout tracks for me were "They're Hanging Me Tonight" and "El Paso". I'll be interested in listening to this more in depth later.
3
Jul 25 2022
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Black Sabbath
Black Sabbath
Still heavy after all these years.
It's crazy to think this was recorded basically live in 2 days. The front half is packed with iconic tracks that built the blueprint for aspiring metal bands. These guys had the guts to do something far removed from just what was going on a couple years earlier (this came out in 1970!). They take what Cream and Led Zeppelin were doing to the next level in terms of heaviness and throw in some fantasy elements. Great listen!
4
Aug 10 2022
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Van Halen
Van Halen
"If Eddie Van Halen was a gunslinger there would be a lot of dead copycats". I grew up with this record because of my dad. My big takeaway from this record (beyond the guitar pyrotechnics) is they had a big DIY/almost punk aesthetic to how they approached creating music; and above all else - this is a fun record
Sounds like: ...Van Halen, rock and blues suped up to the next level
Standout tracks:
"Running", "Eruption", "You Really Got Me", "Jamie's Cryin'" essential Van Halen
"Ain't Talkin'", "I'm the One", "Atomic Punk" are excellent B-sides
"Ice Cream Man" a fun break from the rest of the album
4
Aug 15 2022
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Fragile
Yes
It's the one with "Roundabout". Love the concept of the album: about half group songs and about half songs written by each member showcasing them on their instrument
Sounds like: one of the early quintessential prog rock albums
Standout tracks:
I already said "Roundabout"
"South Side" main section has so many heavy riffs
"Long Distance" THE RIFF
"The Fish" do you like three bass guitars with another guitar playing melody and another messing around?
"Mood" great solo classical guitar piece
"Heart" heavy rapid riff followed by thick bass
4
Aug 19 2022
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In A Silent Way
Miles Davis
Miles Davis' first venture into rock/fusion. I haven't listened to this album in years. I love the crystal sounds of the guitar, keys and ride cymbal create together.
Sounds Like: Miles extends the concept of vamp on a few chords to the next level from what he started on Kind of Blue and adds very subdued rock flavors
Standout sections:
"Shh/Peaceful": the beginning until Miles plays takes me to another plane, the defiance of holding b2 over the bass and how the other musicians participate
"In A Silent Way": the tutti jam during solos hits hard
4