1001 Albums Summary

LED ZEPPELING – IV 4/5 Probably a great album, but not of my style. With some more time the songs could have grown on me a little bit more. The punctuation comes from the importance of the album in the band context, and because it has one of my favourites songs (and possibly one of the best songs of all time, in my opinion), Stairway to Heaven. The voice of Robert Plant is one of the things I dislike the most about Led Zeppelin, and the reason I don't like songs like Four Sticks more. Black Dog --> 4/5 Great guitar riff, and a very good guitar solo Rock and Roll --> 4/5 very catchy, very good rhythm The Battle of Evermore --> 2/5 Voice harmonies are very dissonant sometimes, and don't sound good in my opinion. Stairway to Heaven --> 5/5 Masterpiece. One of my favourites songs in all time, and a great example of how to work with a relatively long song and a simple intensity change Misty Mountain Top --> 1.5/5 Not a fan of the rhythm or the guitars, and the voice of Plant at its worst in the album Four Sticks --> 2.5/5 Cool drums and feeling, but that's all Going to California --> 4/5 Beautiful and simple folky ballad, with a more contained and better voice performance from Plant When the Levee Breaks --> 3/5 Very good musically and instrumentally, nothing out of the ordinary in my opinion

14/08/2022 Simon and Garfunkel – Bookends 5/5 I’m starting to become a fan of Simon and Garfunkel. I already listened to Sounds of Silence, with a more classical and even “old” music, this is a total step up in the quality of their sound and song writing. I love indie and pop folk, so there were no doubts I was going to love this album. Masterful acoustic guitar skills, and lovely vocal harmonies, accompanied by genius lyrics. However, I’m a bit more of a fan of the A side of the album (slower, more emotional) than the B side (upbeat, more pop). Bookends Theme / Save the Life of My Child --> 4/5 Great “experimental” song, very original for being from the 60’s-70’s. Love the bit with the “The Sound of Silence” sample. America --> 5/5 I firstly discovered this song thanks to the First Aid Kid cover, and I love it. I really like it both musically and its lyrics and rhyme, they create a very nostalgic and sentimental song. And it’s a great example of how Paul and Art voices complement each other and create wonderful melodies. Overs --> 5/5 Very simple slow and acoustic song, but its brilliance comes from that in my opinion. I’m a very simple man that loves simple guitar folky mawkish ballads. Voices of Old People --> ?/5 Voices of old people, just that. Old Friend/Bookends Theme (Reprise) --> 5/5 How can I not love this album with these songs? Very emotional, connecting with the theme of Voices of Old People. Great string arrangement that gives even more chills at the end. Fakin’ It --> 4/5 Here the B side of the album starts, with a more “upbeat” sound. Good song, with a more 60’s pop sound, maybe more commercial too. It lacks something, I don’t know what, for me to like it completely. Punky’s Dilemma --> 5/5 A very cheerful song, with some funny lyrics. Very catchy, and again, very simple, but no more is needed. Mrs. Robinson --> 5/5 Probably the most famous Simon and Garfunkel song (with permission of The Sound of Silence and the memes). Very catchy, and good. A Hazy Shade of Winter --> 4.5/5 Here comes the most rock-tinged song of the album. A surprise, but very well executed. At the Zoo --> 4/5 Again, a cheerful and original song, perfectly composed for the children's book they would later publish.

15/08/2022 The Beatles – Rubber Soul 3.5/5 I’m a fan of the late era of The Beatles, and Rubber Soul starts to develop their change into a more experimental and rich sound. Their past as an early 60’s pop boyband is still present, and that makes this album worse in my taste. I think that it also flawed for having too many songs, many of them quite similar to each other. On the final songs the listening become tiring. But it’s still a Beatles album, and it’s very good. Drive My Car --> 4/5 One of the iconic Beatle songs when I think of them and their more catchy early music. Great pop/commercial song in general. Norwegian Wood (This Bird Has Flown) --> 5/5 The Beatles + a sitar = Love. One of the first songs where The Beatles are able to experiment and include different sounds in their music. You Won’t See Me --> 2.5/5 First sign of the first era of the band. It’s okey, but nothing I like too much. Nowhere Man --> 2/5 Again, a song that could perfectly fit into their previous era. Even less remarkable than You Won’t See Me. Think For Yourself -->2/5 The same as Nowhere Man. The World --> 1.5/5 The same, but I like this song even less. I’m not a big fan of the vocals here. Michelle --> 4.5/5 Very sappy song, but very well executed and catchy. What Goes On --> 3/5 Again, first Beatles era sound. This time, the rhythm of the song and its guitar make it more likeable for me. Girl --> 5/5 The music from the movie “Across the Universe” makes me love this song for some reason. I think the film made me discover some Beatle songs I had never listened before and created a special link. I’m Looking Through You --> 4/5 early era Beatles song, but I like this one. In My Life --> 5/5 One of the best Beatles songs of all their carer, maybe not one of my most favourites. There is something they transmit with this song that is very special, both musically and in the lyrics. And I love the piano-harpsichord solo. Wait --> 3/5 This is the point of the album where I want it to end. Nothing special in my opinion. If I needed Someone --> 3.5/5 Again, nothing special. But I like this song a little bit more. Run For Your Life --> 2.5/5 Here I’m just a bit tired. Again, an old-sounding Beatles song, doesn’t add too much.

16/08/2022 George Michael – Faith 2/5 A was quite excited to get something different after 3 60’s albums, and I never listened to George Michael albums before; but it has been kind of a disappointment. A pop album about sex and love (in that order), that is the summary. Nothing out of the ordinary, nothing special, one of those commercial pop albums that doesn’t transmit anything more than its surface, and there is nothing I have gained from listening to it. Maybe it’s not for me, maybe I have had enough with 80’s sounds; but I didn’t like it. Faith – 3.5/5 A good pop song, catchy and danceable, but nothing special in my opinion. Father Figure – 2/5 Listenable but felt a bit hollow for a ballad. I Want Your Sex (Pts. 1 & 2) – 0.5/5 Why doing a 3/4-minute normal pop song? Let’s instead do a 9-minute song that sounds the same all the time about sex, why not. One More Try – 3.5/5 One of the songs I actually like in the album. Transmit infinitely better that Father Figure and have a better vocal performance. A negative point is that it is kind of generic. Hard Day – 2.5/5 Good vibes, but again the same theme. Nothing remarkable. Hand to Mouth – 3.5/5 Again, not bad, and I think is my favourite in the album because its rhythm and its originality in its music. But it still sounds like generic 80’s commercial pop. Look at Your Hands – 1.5/5 Not as bad as the 9-minute song, but I don’t like George performance here. And again, my favourite word in this review, generic. Monkey – 1/5 I don’t understand how this could be a single. I can’t handle this song. Kissing a Fool – 2.5/5 Sounds good, but again, generic and kind of hollow for me. At least it has a very good vocal performance. A Last Request (I Want Your Sex) – 1/5 And the album couldn’t finish without repeating its message, SEX with capital letters. I think I have never listened to a hornier album.

17/08/2022 New Order – Low Life 2.5/5 80’s sound, good instrumentation, and punk and rock inspiration. New Order uses the synths well, with interesting and danceable tunes. Not something I will listen to constantly, but I’m happy of having discovered the band beyond Blue Monday and Elegia. The worst, vocal performance. How the vocalist sings is one of the most important things I value in a song, and Bernard Summer doesn’t have the best voice in the word. Their punk background is also stands out and is not a style I like. These two things make it something I would probalby not listen in the future. Love Vigilantes – 3/5 Doesn’t sound bad at all, could be in the soundtrack of any movie of the time (or some nostalgic current movie). But you could tell me that the song is played by any other 80’s band and I would not differ. The Perfect Kiss – 2.5/5 Similar to Love Vigilantes, but something is missing. Worse vocal arrangement (or production/editing). It has an interesting solo (a frog interlude), so not that bad. This Time of Night – 1.5/5 Awful vocals. The instrumentation becomes kind of linear and repetitive in this song too. Sunrise – 3.5/5 This song is a context where Bernard Summer vocals fit better, a “rockier” song. It is actually a highlight in the album. Elegia – 5/5 The only song I knew before listening to the whole album. A great instrumental song mixing guitar and synths masterfully creating a very magical atmosphere. And in memory of the singer of Joy Division, their previous band. Sooner Than You Think – 2.5/5 Other song I would probably like more if it weren’t because of the vocals. Sub-culture – 1.5/5 Worst vocal performance, and worst song of the album, in my opinion. Face Up – 3.5/5 Really like the sound of this song: its first minute, and the great little bass riff. Then Bernard start singing. Its quite original anyway.

18/08/2022 Curtis Mayfield – There’s No Place Like America Today This album is a great surprise. R&B, funk and soul are styles I don’t listen to too often, but I’m going to start doing it if I can listen to great albums like this one. What a vibe! Everything sounds super smooth, sentimental, and made from the heart. The album is also lyric heavy, so it is worth it to listen and read. A note: as I said, I’m not well versed in these styles, so the review is only based on what I have feel with the songs (not that I’m a professional with the rest, but at least I have something to compare them). Billy Jack – 4.5/5 Incredible way to start the album. Great vibes and feelings, contrasting in a way with lyrics about the (probably violent) assassination of a man. When Seasons Change – 4/5 Again, a song with great sentiment put into it. I maybe like it a little less than the previous one. So in Love – 3/5 This song musically transmit so perfectly being in love. But (if I’m not wrong) the singer is trying to apologize for an affair? I don’t know, I feel like it violates the meaning and feelings of the song a bit. Jesus – 3/5 The song sounds great, but I’m not really into religious preaching. Blue Monday People – 4.5/5 This song does lyrically what So in Love does not, in terms of loving someone. Additionally, talks about the working class and depression. Its music is great too. My favourite of the album. Hard Times – 4/5 Great song with a great message, without frills, very simple. Love to the People – 4/5 Great conclusion to the album too. Great music, great vibes, great lyrics, great message.

19/08/2022 Cocteau Twins – Treasure 4.5/5 Great surprise! I hadn’t heard about Cocteau Twins before, but their impact in dream pop and the influence they have accomplished in other musicians is quite clear after listening to this album. It has been like exploring the ancient foundation documents of an established civilization. I really liked the music of the band: the ethereal sounds, the experimentation with sound and singing, and the voice of the vocalist, Elizabeth Fraser (that I also discovered is the singer in “Song of the Siren” of The Mortal Coil); that is almost celestial. The only bad thing about the album, in my opinion, is the bad production and low quality of the sound of the tracks, so it is better enjoyed with headphones. Ivo – 5/5 Great guitars, great ambience, great voice. It creates a great atmosphere of mystery and etherealness. My favourite track of the album. Lorelei – 3.5/5 I’m surprised of how you can create such a complex sound landscape with so little production and not too many instruments. Still a bit dissonant in my opinion. Beatrix – 4/5 “Kate Bush meets Egypt” vibes. I really like how each song creates its own atmosphere, transferring you to different environments. Persephone – 4.5/5 A more “rockish” song, closer to what The Cranberries did in the 90’s. Elizabeth knows how to work with her voice in different contexts, giving different textures and sounds. Pandora (for Cindy) – 5/5 The mixture of different sounds the band creates in this song is perfect, not going anywhere too complicated. Again, a highlight for Elizabeth. Amelia – 3.5/5 This song doesn’t work for me as the others, but it is still good creating a different atmosphere. Aloysius – 4.5/5 Love the guitars in this song. Not any more to say, but I loved it. Cicely – 3/5 Probably my least liked song, but not because of its flaws, but because I don’t really connect with the ambience it creates. Otterley – 4/5 It sounds more like an interlude that anything else. But it accomplishes a very relaxing and evolving atmosphere, almost like you are underwater. Donimo – 4/5 Good ending track, and a great conclusion to the album.

21/08/2022 Muse – Black Holes and Revelations 5/5 Muse is one of my favourite bands, at least their early period including The Resistance. It is one of those that you need to go to one of their concerts before you die just because how incredible the experience would be. Matt Bellamy’s voice is also, in my opinion, one of the best male voices of all the time, and I love his vocal range and use of falsetto in songs like Supermassive Black Hole or Micro Cuts (of Origin of Symmetry). Black Holes and Revelations is, maybe nor their best, but their most regular album, with great singles like Supermassive Black Hole or Knights of Cydonia; and incredible not so well-known songs like Take a Bow. I think I’m biased and probably my review won’t be objective, but I can’t leave aside how much I like them. Take a Bow – 5/5 I think this is the hidden gem of the album (and we are just at the beginning). Take a Bow is a great crescendo song that is perfect for introducing the listeners to the sounds and feelings of the album. Probably my second favourite song of the album, the initial synth arpeggio, the transition, and the rocking end are fantastic. All of that ornated with the fantastic Matt Bellamy voice. Starlight – 4/5 One of the weak legs of the album, not because the song is not great, but because it clashes a bit against the album and maybe even Muse’s previous sound. Apart from that, it is a fantastic pop song with a touch of rock. Supermassive Black Hole – 5/5 If I remember correctly, this is the song that introduced me to Muse (maybe from one of early 2000's FIFA’s games?). Again, maybe a little bit more pop-rock that usual, but the right amount to not become too different. Again, absolutely great falsetto vocals, and the core of the song. Map of the Problematique – 4.5/5 Another great song, but this one needs a little bit more to be perfect for me. Maybe it needs a bit of uniqueness compared to what we have listened previously in the album. Love the guitar riff and piano that the song is built around. Soldier’s Poem – 4/5 Another weak leg of the album. It is the type of ballad Muse normally composes and it should have needed to stand out from the rest to be better. Invincible – 4.5/5 Another slow song, but this one has the things to make itself unique. The marching band drums and the build up to the guitar solo and the end of the song are great. It is also a very good middle point to the album and transition to the “B-side”. Assassin – 5/5 Turning towards the more “heavy-rock” sound of the band, it is quite powerful and successful in what it tries to achieve. Exo-Politics – 4/5 A bit generic and flat-sounding, but not bad. Very recognizable Muse sound. City of Delusion – 4.5/5 Great at creating a very exotic atmosphere (“Wild-west” with the guitar riff and trumpet, more “oriental-inspired” with its strings). Good and different rock song. Hoodoo – 5/5 Following the lead of City of Delusion, this track starts as a ballad that continues the atmosphere of the last song, but evolves into a more dramatic and grandiloquent sound, very similar to Space Dementia of Origin of Symmetry. That makes it very interesting. Knights of Cydonia – 5/5 My favourite Muse song, and the strongest of the album. What a 6-minute masterpiece. It is great developing a story, not only in the little lyrics it has (and the context behind them), but also through the evolution of its sound as it progresses. It is also great at gathering energy thorough until it all explodes at the end. Glorious – 4.5/5 I am one of those who believes that Knights of Cydonia could have been the best closure song to this album, ending it with a great clash of energy. This song is not bad at all, nonetheless. Another space-rock inspired track that follows Muse most knowledgeable structure and sound.

22/08/2022 Joy Division – Closer 1/5 This is a nope for me. I don’t like the music, the production, the voice of Ian Curtis, the style... I was thinking of saving this for the future after a few listens (like Beck’s album I had a couple of days ago, that grew on me a little), but it’s not clicking with me at all. I can’t even finish the songs without forcing myself. I know that Joy Division is a remarkable band that for sure left their mark for the future of punk, but I don’t like them. Even their sound (without Ian Curtis) in New Order is better in my opinion. Not a fair review, but it is coming only from my perspective.

24/08/2022 Barry Adamson – Moss Side Story 3/5 I’m not going to comment this album song by song because of its peculiar context. Moss Side Story is a soundtrack of a film noir that doesn’t exist. It is quite the experience, original, and it is successful in creating the atmosphere it wants. I think that it handles the composition, using both of music and other sounds like screaming; very well. However, it is a one-time only experienced, at least for me. It is built to be listened in its complete length as a whole; and it is not enjoyable as a traditional music album which has quasi-independent songs (with some exceptions, like Under Wraps, or Everything Happens to Me). And it’s something I don’t think I will come back to listen again, at least on the short term. The thing is that albums that are not pleasant to listen to because they transmit unwelcome feelings, like this one in some instances, or Everywhere at the End of Times (a masterpiece about dementia and old age by The Caretaker); are not something to enjoy, are something to experience.

25/08/2022 William Orbit – Strange Cargo III 4/5 Electronica has become one of my favourite genres together with folk, indie and pop, and it’s great to listen to the seed of what that style is today. Strange Cargo III is a very early 90’s electronica album, with all that that implies. It is enjoyable, at least for me, but knowing how the genre have evolved with time and technological progress, it sounds a bit simple and not fully developed sometimes. However, it is very chill and well built on its context, and it doesn’t have a low point across the whole album. Water From A Vine Leaf – 4.5/5 Surprisingly good for its length: 7 minutes that doesn’t become a tedious listen. Its first half develops a good beat, and the second evolves a bit with variation and the inclusion of a singer. Very enjoyable. Into The Paradise – 4.5/5 This album is quite interesting. Some songs are built similar to modern electronic music, like they are intended to sound in a club (mostly because their structure and duration). But they aren’t that danceable and are rather slow, at least to current standards (It is probably my age thinking). This is one of the cases, and I quite like it. It becomes a fairly “sexy” song thanks to the voice and the beat. Time To Get Wize – 3/5 more of a “generic song”, still good. Harry Flowers – 4/5 This is a song that breaks the consistency of the album so far, sounding more like the soundtrack of a movie or a videogame, and leaning more into the ambient/relaxing music. A Touch Of The Night – 4/5 Very intriguing melody, and great bass/drums combination. It almost sounds like club music from outer space. The Story Of Light – 4 /5 Good build-up, to become a great hit to dance to (slowly?). Interesting sounds, and the included singer gives it a good touch. Gringatcho Demento – 4/5 Another song that builds-up to a good beat and instrumentation. This one has a surprising guitar solo in the middle. A Hazy Shade Of Random – 4.5/5 Mostly slow songs that evolves into a impressive beat. My favourite song of the album. Best Friend, Paranoia – 2.5/5 It follows a similar structure and composition, but it gets stuck in the middle between a high energy and low energy song. The Monkey King – 2/5 Probably the weakest song of the album. Another one that breaks the general pattern, becoming an ambient track. It doesn’t generates a good enough atmosphere for me. Deus Ex Machina – 2/5 Similar to the previous one, it doesn’t make it for me. Water Babies – 3.5/5 This one follow similarly to the 2 before, but it builds up a cute melody that becomes more and more complex until it fades our. A good way to close the album.

26/08/2022 Iron Butterfly – In-A-Gadda-Da-Vida 2/5 God Bless the Simpsons and their impact on culture. In-A-Gadda-Da-Vida is a great song (or at least its main part, we will talk later about the crazy and unnecessary 17 minutes various solos) and that church scene (in the S07 E04) uses it perfectly. This album, however, except that extract, is not very remarkable in my opinion. Not a big fan of acid rock, and I would firstly choose to listen to The Doors before Iron Butterfly a thousand times. Those minutes of the main part of the eponymous song are the only salvageable thing. The rest of the songs are very similar to each other, and quite generic. Probably someone has done the same thing, but better. Most Anything you Want – 2.5/5 An interesting instrumentation in this kind of generic song. I really like combo the guitar and the organ create. Flowers and Beads – 1.5/5 This song is lacking strength and sentiment. It sounds a bit like the musicians were recorded with a gun on their heads. A lackluster Beach Boys song. My Mirage – 1.5/5 The organ here sounds so weak and on the background that becomes quite annoying. Probably a production’s fault. Termination – 2/5 If Flowers and Beads was close to the Beach Boys, this sounds a bit like a poor The Beatles song, mostly how the voices are composed. Poor on composition and production. Are You Happy – 2/5 Another song that sounds like it needs more energy, mostly the singer. Meh. In-A-Gadda-Da-Vida – 2.5/5 As said before, the highlight of the album. Those initial and final minutes, where the song is accompanied by the singer, are great. Maybe is the Simpsons scene influence, but it remains me of a mass hymn with a hellish touch. This is overshadowed, however, with a highly unnecessary chain of solos that could have been totally skippable. A pity.

27/08/2022 Steely Dan – Aja 4/5 Looking around reviews of the album on the website, most of the complaints talked about how generic and how much like “elevator”, “shopping mall” or background music this album sounded like. I consider myself a fan of this type of music, and I think that to make something perfect enough to conceal itself on the environment is not as easy as it seems. Apart from that, the tracks in the album sound fantastic, full of good vibes and catchy melodies. The jazz influences make it not very repetitive and good enough to listen to it on its own. And it is also a great album for sampling. A couple of bad notes: the songs end being a bit too much similar between each other, and those vibes could be too much after a while and makes you nauseous. The voice of the singer is nothing out of the ordinary, but is compensated by the great instrumentals. Black Cow – 3/5 Good vibes, but maybe too flat and stable during its 5 minutes. I would need an interesting and more energetic solo somewhere, or a good enough bridge. Aja – 4.5/5 This one could have fallen in the same mistakes as Black Cow, but it makes good use of its 8 minutes with more variability and a fantastic guitar and sax solo/interlude and a great ending drums solo. Deacon Blues – 3.5/5 A slower good sounding song that maybe would have needed a little bit more of creativity and variety. But it is great at what it does. Peg – 4/5 Very groovy. Its stability is compensated by its short duration compared to the others. Home at Last – 3.5/5 Not bad, nothing out of the ordinary. Again, a bit too flat. Good solos. I Got the News – 4.5/5 Love the instrumentation of this song, maybe one of the jazziest of the album. Josie – 3.5/5 Good, but nothing different from the previous tracks.

29/08/2022 ABC - The Lexicon Of Love 3.5/5 This is one of those 80’s albums that could be used to define the pop sound of the era. The band, for been their first album, looks like knew exactly what they wanted to do, while still allowing themselves to slightly experiment. Working with the standards of their time, however, makes it something not very remarkable, at least to a modern listen. The instrumentals could get a bit mixed up between songs, and it can become tiresome; but the bass is something to highlight in almost all the songs. Martin Fry’s voice is one I like but is somewhat similar to contemporary singers. Show me – 4.5/5 Great intro track for the album, and a very good initial bass riff. My favourite of the album. Maybe the verses stagger a bit much. Poison Arrow – 3.5/5 Clear single track. Catchy chorus, good to average song. Many Happy Returns – 4/5 Another remarkable bass performance. It is clearly what gives the touch of brilliance to some of the songs. Tears Are Not Enough – 2/5 The lyrics and persistent singing makes this song kind of obnoxious. Valentine’s Day – 3.5/5 Middle of the pack song in the album. I like the use of the synth strings in the background. The Look Of Love, Pt. 1 – 4/5 Probably the most popular song of ABC, and it has its reasons. Very catchy, and probably the most “conservative” of all the album, in structure and sound. It is still a good song. Date Stamp – 4/5 Another bass that slaps. I would say is another strong point of the album. The female vocalist gives it something different. All Of My Heart – 2/5 This is the most generic sound of the album. It tries to be an 80’s pop ballad so hard that it sounds very basic. 4 Ever 2 Gether – 4/5 The most structurally different song of the album, and the one they took more liberty with. It is different indeed, but it doesn’t impact as much as they would think it does. The Look Of Love, Pt. 4 – 3/5 Little instrumental continuation of The Look Of Love to close the album. Maybe not necessary (and 4 Ever 2 Gether could have been a better closeup), but not bad neither.

30/08/2022 Alice Cooper – Million Dollar Babies 4/5 I’m surprised by this album. I’m not a Hard Rock or Glam fan, and I was expecting something heavier, or at least freakier. But no, it was an amazingly easy to listen album (for its genre), fun and it doesn’t take itself serious at all. It has good instrumentals, good production for the time, and except when it gets too weird, vocals are enjoyable too. Again, the genre is not favourite, and that is probably my biggest bad point; and one of the reasons I think I will be tired of listening to these songs in my playlists in the near future. Lyrics are also not something I usually pay close attention to, and the humour has maybe aged a bit poorly (but is not offensive at all). Hello Hooray – 4.5/5 Great first track, because of its theme, but also because it sounds really good. The bell that sounds in the background of the song freaked me out a bit, but I think that is a sign of good production. Raped and Freezin’ –3.5/5 Standard hard rock song that doesn’t sound bad at all. Love the end, and the addition of the piano on the background. Elected – 4.5/5 The catchiest track of the album, and one of the best in my opinion. I always love a bit of politics in my music. I really like the addition of the horns, and the instrumental bridge. Billion Dollar Babies – 4.5/5 Another great song of the album. Great instrumentally, and the Donovan featuring, with those double singed choruses, is fantastic. Unfinished Sweet – 3/5 This song is one of the weakest in my opinion. It is a fun and original song thanks mostly to its interlude, but the theme (Dental health? Why?) and the sound of the song itself doesn’t do it for me. No More Mr. Nice Guy – 3.5/5 Not the best track of the album musically, but the theme is interesting: how being different generates hate. This, however, doesn’t explain why you must stop being a good person because of that. You don’t have to treat others like shit, just because you receive that from some. And that is just my opinion. Generation Landslide – 4/5 Really like the “folky” sound in this song. Other lyrics criticising the older generations, similar to what he does in “Billion Dollar Babies”; a critic totally valid today. Sick Things – 3.5/5 Not the most appealing sound in this track, but it pairs very well with what it condemns in the lyrics, creating a frightening atmosphere thanks to the slow tempo and the instrumentation. Mary Ann – 4/5 Surprising slow, short and sweet track that sounds like a Beatles song. It contrasts highly with the previous and the next song in the album. I Love the Dead – 4/5 And here is the craziest song of the album. I don’t know how you decide to write a song about necrophilia, but here it is. Apart from how questionable the topic is (knowing that it is not written seriously), the instrumentation is great. It sounds like an epic Queen song.

01/09/2022 my bloody valentine – m b v 4.5/5 This album genre, shoegaze (or ambient music for metalheads); is the definition of music that grows on you with every listen. It has so many layers that you always discover something new. That is one of the reasons why I don’t think I can review this album probably with only 2 or 3 listenings. But one thing is for sure, I like it quite a lot; and I’m going to listen to it more.

02/09/2022 Pixies – Surfer Rosa 3.5/5 This is a very raw album, but mostly on the positive side. The roughness, the sharp edges, and the scrappy voices are flaws that give character and personality to the music and is totally understandable why this is a so influential album. The band is having fun and have a lot of energy, and these are great aspects too. Nevertheless, all of these things make the listening a bit unbearable, at least for me. These tracks are not something I would listen to twice on the same day, because they would give me a headache. Additionally, the punk influences and the voices keep me a bit away. Favourite tracks – • Something Against You: all the energy in the universe concentrated in a song. • Gigantic: sounds almost like a pop song. • Where is my mind?: a classic. A great example on how to focus energy and music into a certain feeling. • Oh My Golly!: kind of catchy for a punk song. Less favourite tracks – • River Euphrates: I hate the voices here. • I’m Amazed: not a fan of the guitar on this one.

03/09/2022 Curtis Mayfield – Superfly 3/5 While I was greatly surprised by the first album I got of Curtis (There’s No Place Like America Today), this one feels a tad less good. The funkier songs, although they have its charm, lack a bit of the sentiment. Don’t get me wrong, the music is top notch, with a great production quality; and I feel like they could increase the quality of the film they are featured (and that I’m now curious to watch). The instrumentation is very good, and they gave the music a very “complete” feeling and the character necessary to be a soundtrack. However, it has connected slightly less with me, and the songs are a bit of a mixture on my head. Favourite tracks – • Junkie Chase (Instrumental): great energy, feelings and coolness. The two instrumental tracks on the album are the best ones. • Think (Instrumental): very good melody conducted by the horns and a slick guitar. • Freddy’s Dead (Theme from “Superfly”): this song is clearly single material. The coolest of all the tracks, with the best intentions and feelings.

05/09/2022 Radiohead – In Rainbows 5/5 Radiohead is one of my favourite groups, and I’m not going to say that I’m biased in this review because I also think that they are the best of the best out there right now. My favourite album of theirs is Kid A, so I’m a fan of this “second era”, much more electronic and less rock. In Rainbows take a step back into the experimentation and builds its music around a more solid ground but maintaining their quality. If I have to introduce someone to Radiohead, I would probably recommend this album (or The Bends). Production is fantastic, instrumentation is amazing, the melodies are really captivating, and the lyrics are at their peak. Favourite tracks – • 15 steps: great introduction in the album with highly distorted drums and a very good guitar riff, both building the song around them. • Bodysnatchers: the energy of all the album is concentrated and freed in this song. • Nude: I love Radiohead ballads, and this one is no exception. Yorke vocals on this track are hypnotizing, and the vocal arrangements are the end are very emotive. • Weir Fishes/ Arpeggi: Who doesn’t like this song? Another one build around fantastic drums and a guitar riff. • All I Need: My favourite from the album. Again, in love with Radiohead slow songs, and if they have that apotheosis end, the better. • Faust Arp: the melody, guitar arpeggios and string arrangements of this song give me goosebumps. • Reckoner: how difficult is to build an album on such simple instrumentalization (again, a great guitar riff and great percussion) and make it so complex at the same time? It’s perfect. • Videotape: every time I listen to this song I remember the live video of Radiohead trying to play this song, and failing the syncopation because of the audience clapping. Apart from that, perfect.

06/09/2022 The Rolling Stones – Aftermath 1.5/5 The Rolling Stones is one of those groups that, because of their impact on the music world and general culture in general; I’ve been always tented to listen to deeply, but I have never had the real intentions to. I like most of their more known songs, but their general musical aspect has never attracted me. Well, after listening to this album, I have lost all my interest. I don’t know if it’s because it’s one of their first albums and they evolve their sound later in their career, but for me it sounded terrible, both musically and in terms of production and quality. As some people have said in their reviews here, they sound like a way worst version of The Beatles, and not contemporary to this album exactly (Revolver was released on 1966 too and it’s the beginning of the better Beatles era, in my opinion). There is only one exception (and only in the U.S. version of the album), and it’s Paint It, Black, probably my favourite song of theirs. The rest sound kind of awful for me. Favourite tracks – • Paint It, Black: great track. Atmospheric, highly authentic sound that pairs incredible with the lyrics, and quite original. I wish the rest of the album sounded like this. Less favourite tracks – • Lady Jane: I can’t stand the sound of the instrumentation of this song, and how it is so disconnected from the voice. • Going Home: who thought that making this track 11 minutes long was a good idea?

07/09/2022 Thundercat – Drunk 2/5 I had a curious experience with the listening of this album. At first, I thought “Wow, it sounds so good”. After listening to 18 to its 25 tracks, it was more like “What a mess”. The style that is showed here, a mix of R&B, jazz and funk; it’s a really fun and good-looking combination. Additionally, the humorous lyrics and how little the artist takes himself serious adds certain quality to the songs. All of this, however, gets overshadowed by how messy the mixing and production is (at least to my not qualified ears). I think that is very difficult to work with tracks that sometimes gather so many instruments at the same time and make it sound appealing; and it doesn’t occur here. My experience is a mess where all sounds get mixed and ends giving me a headache. Furthermore, and probably this is influenced by the hate we guitar players have sometimes to bassists; the bass occupy more sound space that it should in some songs, demoting the rest of the instruments to the background. I know that Thundercat is a bassist, and a very good one; but you don’t need to give yourself false relevance by pushing your sound over the rest. I don’t know if I have had a very picky day today and this review has come kind of aggressive because of that. But really, I feel like these feelings have come from disappointment. I had high hopes for this album because of what I heard early on it, and also because I was happy with a 2010’s album. Well, I hope future more calm listens change my opinion. Favourite tracks – • Uh Uh: this is the level of what I was expecting for the rest of the album. Highly technical melodic jazz with a lot of energy put into it. • A Fan’s Mail (Tron Song Suit II): apart from how annoying he lyrics can be (meow meow meow meow), it sounds great, very moody and cool. Less favourite tracks – • Day & Night: there is some disconnection between the vocals and the instrumentation that I don’t really like. • Blackkk: too much freestyle. It sounds like a bad quality Bill Wurtz’s song (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V0HCZ4YGqbw)