Favorite Songs : The Stars (Are Out Tonight), The Next Day, Love Is Lost, Where Are We Now?, Valentine's Day,
You Feel So Lonely You Could Die, Heat
Least Favorite Songs: Boss Of Me, How Does The Grass Grow?, (You Will) Set The World On Fire
Not my favorite Bowie project, but a welcome return to what made him so impressive and interesting in the first place. It really is a modern take on something he may have produced in the early 80s, which only makes the reused iconic 'Heroes' cover photo all the more appropriate; a single of this "what's old is new again" ideology "The Next Day" wants to imply.
There's a very unique tone and groove through the whole album even without a consistent narrative or theme. Many of the songs here are triumphant and booming, some are droning and dark, and some genuinely very introspective and deliberately written. I only wish a bit of the fat could be trimmed off here and there, because the highs are so high and the lows so boring.
Favorite Songs: Down To Zero, Help Yourself, Love And Affection, Join The Boys, People
Least Favorite Songs: Somebody Who Loves You
Joan was a completely new artist to me, and was really a treat to spend 40 minutes with.
Her voice is tender, flexible, strong and comforting while avoiding typical pitfalls of other singer-songwriters. The guitar skills and poetic lyrics on display are also standouts that make this album an enjoyable listen. The production was clearly handled by someone who knew what they were doing, and everything sounds crisp and mixed very well. For a mid 70's album, there are alot of timeless sounds and themes here. The occasional electric guitar lick, drum hit, saxophone wail, or background voices add some much needed excitement and texture while still letting Joan have her moment. Some of the tracks here might have more appeal to one person than another depending on what genres you tend to fall back on; but, with an album showing off slow-moving love songs, funk you can dance to, blues riffs... it's just amazing it blends together at all.
Favorite Songs: Where Is My Mind, Broken Face, Gigantic, Vamos (Surfer Rosa), Bone Machine, River Euphrates, Cactus
Least Favorite Songs: Brick Is Red
Things I knew about Pixies before listening to this include their Fight Club feature, and Kurt Cobain's praise of them; but I hadn't really put the time into actually delving deep in their material. I'm so glad I did.
Seriously, this album is simultaneously one of the best sounding and completely insane alternative records I've ever heard. The imagery it invokes and the way its produced show a cobbled together lust-filled pile of ideas, being expertly combed through and arranged into a grand punk statement.
The sweet simplicity of twanging guitars and primal yelps bring interrupted by a beautiful humming melody, a casual conversation, or a shocking level of depraved lyrics is what makes this album so uncompromising and special. unforgettable.
Favorite Songs: Born Under Punches (The Heat Goes On), Houses In Motion, Crosseyed And Painless, Once In A Lifetime, The Great Curve, Listening Wind
Least Favorite Songs: N/A
One of the greatest albums ever made. I've listened to alot of Art-Rock albums. Alternative albums. Pop albums. Funk albums. Proto-Punk albums. World albums. Atmospheric albums.
This album is not just those things perfected, but recaptured and contextualized. Add odd-time signature African beats, general radio hit appeal, and sharp writing; And you get some of the most accessible experimental music ever made. Political, loving, and kind more than most you'll listen to.
Favorite Songs: You Want It Darker, Treaty, On the Level, Leaving the Table, Traveling Light, Steer Your Way, String Reprise
Least Favorite Songs: It Seemed The Better Way
Much like David Bowie's 'Blackstar', here we have an artist with a rich catalog of material reflecting on their life, career, and eventual death (which would come 17 days after the release of 'You Want It Darker'.)
These songs are brooding, sweet, subtle, and yes... dark. You can hear a man who has loved so many say his goodbyes. A man who was deeply spiritual make peace with a creator. A man who has done alot of reflection on what went wrong and how to cope.
On a musical level, there's a minimalist approach to many of songs here. Even when a choir erupts, a guitar plucks along, a violin is bowed, or a piano jangles it isn't anything but a backing track to the words and gravel coming from the main event: Mr.Leonard Cohen.
