Paul's Boutique
Beastie BoysI am not a fan of rap, and this album did not change my mind. There were a few songs with interesting rhythms and sounds, but many of the content themes and lyrics I found distasteful.
I am not a fan of rap, and this album did not change my mind. There were a few songs with interesting rhythms and sounds, but many of the content themes and lyrics I found distasteful.
Wow, this album was a journey that I am so glad I went on. It covers the whole gamut of mental states that one may go through when drinking, and you can tell it comes from a deeply personal place. While some of the songs in the second half covered situations that I personally do not agree with, they are necessary to fulfilling the album's full scope and mission.
Sarah's voice is so rich and beautiful. I was listening to the album right before bed, and it was the perfect soothing way to end a day. Most definitely 5/5 <3
Stardust showcases perfectly why Willie Nelson is one of the best country artists out there. The minimal instrumentals let his voice guide the album effortlessly from one song to the next, and you've gone through all 10 songs before you know it.
I found "The Suburbs" by Arcade Fire to be very mediocre. The mixing between instrumentals and vocals felt off and made it difficult to hear what was being sung. When I did look up the lyrics, they were generic and unmemorable. This album is good for background noise at best, not for a focused listen. The only two songs I might listen to again are Sprawl I and Sprawl II.
I found Reed's lyrics to be original and creative, which makes his music stand out from most songs you hear on the airwaves today. But the music itself just didn't hook me. Not a bad album, but not a standout to me either.
"Bookends" by Simon & Garfunkel is a solid album and I can see why it helped rocket them to stardom. Out of all the songs, "Voices of Old People" followed by "Old Friends" I thought were a brilliant and unique addition that brought to life the album's theme of exploring a life journey. I guess what holds me back from giving the album a full five stars is I feel it should have been slightly longer. I feel there were stories left untold in covering the life journey.
Nick Cave has a wonderful voice; if only the songs lived up to his singing. Having the entire album consist of slow songs made them merge together, and it became a long, drawn-out process listening to the whole thing. Unfortunately the ones that did stand out—"West Country Girl," "Black Hair," and "Green Eyes"—had terrible lyrics that sounded like a romance novel written by someone who sees women as objects rather than peers. The best way to play this album is to have it on in the background and not focus on the lyrics.