Being unexperienced with modern music I was not sure what to expect. This album kept me engaged and left me pondering its significance. Easy to listen to. If this is the modern take on the concept album I am all for
it. Though it is a young album, it feels like an album that could remain
throughout time and attain the 'classic' moniker. Daring chord changes
accompany a beautiful voice that effortlessly weaves its way from song to song. Production is noticeable in its goals but works well with the theme of the album.
I think its a pretty damn good album. I have been pleasantly surprised and
will likely listen to more albums from Michael Kiwanuka.
A decent album from a very talented group of musicians. The album was perhaps a bit too long for my liking. After Under The Bridge, the album became harder to concentrate on and enjoy since the musical variety in the album is slim. Still, the musicianship in this album is world class. They are one of the most successful groups in the world for good reason. Flea is a master on the bass. Mellowship Slinky, Breaking The Girl and Under The Bridge are probably the best songs on the album.
Decent album, but was glad when it was over. Would rate it a 4 if six or seven
songs were cut off.
Though hip hop is not a genre I listen to at all, I respect the hell out of this album. The songwriting achieves its goal of making the listener aware of the systemic racial issues in the world and highlights important topics worth pondering. I'm glad this album was successful and I hope it ruffled a few feathers.
3.5/5
Its kinda funny. People have been telling me for literally years to listen to
the Smiths and here they are, on Day 4 of a 1001 day challenge, to let me
know how much I've missed from not listening to them over the years! A real outstanding album. The instrumentation is spot on and the lyrics and melody dance between serious and tongue and cheek from song to song. I was going to list all my favorite songs from the album but then realised I was just typing out half the album. I will say after my first two listens through the album, my favorite is probably Last Night I dreamt that Somebody Loved Me. But yeah, def got some Smiths catching up to do now!
5/5
Jimi Hendrix is obviously an incredible musician and that shines through on
his debut album. I can only imagine what it would have been like to hear this
at the time as it is pretty revolutionary in its style. The best songs are May This Be Love (although the mix is questionable), Hey Joe and the title track. Along with other tracks that appeared on other releases of this album, such as Purple Haze and The Wind Cries Mary, the latter of which I think is one of the greatest songs of all time. I have already listened to this album three times and will certainty be listening to it again
4.75/5
It took me a few listens to appreciate the album more than I originally did.
This is a decent album. Great vocals and a good band. Surprisingly crisp
arrangements for an album that seemed to pre herald the arrival of the 80s. The best songs are the first three (with My Best Friends Girl being the
stand out for me). Moving In Stereo is a almost witty experimental exercise
in word painting and an unexpected highlight for me was I'm In Touch With Your World. The album closes strongly with All Mixed Up. Special mention too for You've All I've Got Tonight. This all being said, the album didn't click for me as much as others from the same time period have.
3.5/5
I'd be lying if I didn't say I didn't want to listen to the album a second
time. It is a bizarre record, but I think it has its place. Definitely the kind of album that probably has a very strong cult following. The opening track 'Soul And Fire' is a really damn good song. For some reason, I love the chaotic nature of 'Fantastic Disaster'. But overall, the album is not for me right now, though I can see it becoming an acquired taste.
2/5
I enjoyed this album much more the first listen through rather than the second time. I think that's because once you've heard it, you've heard it you know. Its definitely not my preferred genre, but regardless I thought it was decent. When I listened to it a second time, I found myself much more bored. I don't think there is much more to discover after first listen. The best track is the title track for me, along with 'black screen'. Probably won't listen to it again.
2.75/5
This is a fantastic record and one I found enjoying more the more I listened
to it. Very low stress to listen too and very warm to put on in the background. The lyric "If I'd never felt the sunshine Hell, I would not curse the rain" is genius and is one of my favorite lyrics I've ever heard. The album starts super strong with the title track and 'Old Five and Dimers (Like Me)'. 'We Had It All' is a beautiful album closer. 'Ain't No God in Mexico' plays around with clever lyrism. But every song for me in the album is a is at
least somewhere between good and very good.
Man, after the first five songs I thought this album was awesome! Trouble was nothing else really came after them. By the end of the album, I was a little bit glad it was over. 'Beetlebum' is a strong opener and of course everyone knows 'Song 2'. But for me, 'Country Sad Ballad Man' is the best song. Outstanding mix and groovy instrumentation. I think the last six songs could be entirely cut from the album, they all just seemed like filler honestly. 'Essex Dogs' is a strange experiment that just doesn't keep one engaged for the 8 minutes it occupies. Overall it is a bloated album that contains a few decent songs.
3/5
This album is a sad insight into the personal issues that Gaye was going
through at the time. The heart ache is clear in all the lyrics of every song. My favorite songs from the album are 'I Met A Little Girl', 'When Did You Stop Loving Me, When Did I Stop Loving You' and 'Sparrow'. The vocals on this album are outstanding and backed with a very solid band.
3.5/5
Solid album primarly great for background music. I'm not a big listener of
this kind of jazz but the album is good for what it is. The musicianship is
top class. Special shout out to the bass player, the bass is what kept me
primarily engaged here.
This is an excellent album and it amazes me that at the age he was and with the amount of music he had already released he came out with this. 'The Man Comes Around' is one of the best album openers I've ever heard in my life. 'Hurt', a Nine Inch Nails cover is so good that the cover has pretty much become the original. 'I Hung My Head', a cover of a song I'd actually never heard before is beautiful. Johnny Cash has a way of making powerful and poignant lyrics hit even harder then they usually would. The album ends very strongly with 'We'll Meet Again'. This album is an experience man. I highly recommend it.
4.5/5
Pretty sick album. Fantastic vocals. Super fun to listen to and sing along
too. Best songs are 'Chain of Fools', 'People Get Ready', 'A Natural Woman',
'Sweet Sweet Baby', 'Groovin'" and 'Ain't No Way'. I mean pretty much every
track is a banger. I've pretty criminally overlooked Aretha Franklin throughout my life so this is a good reminder of her talent. Recommend.
4/5
David Bowie is so awesome dude. The first four songs of this album are just unbelievably good. Of course everyone knows 'Heroes', the first track 'Beauty and the Beast' is a very strong album opener. But for me, my favorite song is 'Sons of the Silent Age'. Just a magnificent melody and one of the best chord progression harmony combinations I've ever heard. The second half of the album is a lot different as Bowie transitions the album into a medley of instrumentals. I feel this half of the album is not nearly as strong but a special shout out to 'Moss Garden' as one of the most chill tracks I've heard. The album concludes with 'The Secret Life of Arabia' which brings back vocals and is a fine ending.
I recommend this album, if only for the first half, it is worth it.
4.25/5
This album was decent, though not really anything too spectacular. My favorite songs are 'Cheap Honesty' and 'You'll Follow Me Down'. Lovers of alternative rock should like this album. Good vocals and a good band.
3/5
This album features a beautiful voice singing many traditional old folk tunes.
Joan Baez sings soulfully and beautifully. This album doesn't offer much more than that but if you are into folk (like myself) you should dig this album. My favorite songs are 'Donna Donna', 'House Of The Rising Sun' and 'El Preso Numero Nueve'. Good relaxing album to have on in the background.
3.5/5
It's a decent album. I listened to it a couple times and didn't feel too
connected to it either time but it is still a decent album. My favorite songs
are 'Man On The Moon' and 'River Song'. 'The Sidewinder Sleeps Tonite' is a real catchy number which I enjoyed. 'Everybody Hurts', a song which everybody on earth has heard before, is also a highlight of this album. If you like alternative rock, you have probably already listened to this album, but if you haven't, listen to it!
3.25/5
Sick album. I have a bias towards mid to late 60's tunes so I really enjoyed
this. Great sound to it. Even the filler songs are songs I enjoy. 'I'm so happy now' is such a joy to listen too, as is 'It's Love' and 'A Girl Like You'. The title track is a classic. Album flows very nicely throughout. I recommend this album to anyone a fan of 60's and 70's music.
Well I will say I enjoyed it more then I thought I would, but I'm just not a
metal person. I think whether or not you will enjoy this album comes down to the simple question of "Are you a metal fan?". If the answer is yes, then I would think you would really enjoy this album. If not, I wouldn't bother.
One can surely appreciate the musicianship from the musicians on display in this band. As well as this, I appreciate the way they weave alternate genres into the songs along with the metal. I probably sound like a 60 year old man with this review, but its just overall not for me.
2/5
I enjoyed this one more the second listen. Songs are pretty simple in nature,
but are good tunes with catchy riffs and melodies. Can be pretty fun to sing
along too. I like "Rebellious Jukebox", "Industrial Estate" and 'No Xmas for John Quays" the most probably, but 'Music Scene' would be up there too. This album is not bad, I'd give it a try.
3.25/5
Cool progressive rock album with heavy metal elements. The album gels well
song to song and is cohesive. This album might be just a tad to hard for me.
Its a cool listen though. Recommend, but only if you have listened to this
kind of music before. Great vocals! Tight group. Really cool arrangements for the songs. A lot of the songs felt arbitrarily long just for the sake of
being long. I will probably listen to this album again as it seems like the
kind of album you need to listen to many times to fully appreciate.
3.25/5
A somewhat bizarre amalgamation of music ideas, not just confined to the albums overarching genre. I have no experience with Julian Copes music, but he seems like a songwriter who probably pumps out 100 songs per month. Each song is unique in its identity, but flows with the albums theme. It's quite long, but I found the album was better the longer it went on for. I seemed to enjoy it more and more. Recommend!
BEST SONGS:
- Safe Surfer
- If You Loved Me At All
- Drive, She Said
- Soldier Blue
- Beautiful Love
- Las Vegas Basement
4/5
I just don't get it to be honest. I know there is a market for this music but I am not part of it.
BEST SONGS:
- You Suffer, because I think its funny
1/5
I'm not well versed with hip hop but I enjoyed this album. Great vocals and
great beats. I would give it a go even if you don't listen to hip hop.
FAVORITE SONGS:
- Life's a Bitch
- The World is Yours
- It Ain't Hard to Tell
3/5
Coldplay is a band I remember being popular as I was growing up, but I had never actually listened to one of their albums before. I went into this album not really expecting much but I was pleasantly surprised with what I heard. Each song has that trademark Coldplay song to it but I found the songs had more than enough variety to keep me engaged throughout the album. As I understand it, Coldplay are a somewhat different sounding group to what they were in 2002, but I really like this particular sound. It feels like an album that can appeal to anyone who at least doesn't have an extreme distaste for pop rock. I would recommend!
FAVORITE SONGS:
- The Scientist
- Clocks
- Green Eyes
- A Rush of Blood to the Head
- Amsterdam
4.25/5
As soon as the first song started I was immediately fully engaged with the
album. I knew it was gonna be a good one. And it was. Perhaps not quite as consistent as I originally thought it was going to be, but the album has
great standout tracks that serve as an excellent introduction to the band.
Fantastic riffs and unique vocals, after listening to this album twice I
know I will be delving deeper into Talking Heads discography in the future.
FAVORITE SONGS:
- Uh-Oh, Love Comes to Town
- New Feeling
- Don't Worry About the Government
- Psycho Killer
4.25/5
I was pretty surprised at how much I enjoyed this album. Krautrock is a genre I have never actually heard of, let alone listened to. The production is somewhat lo-fi but also very listenable. The instrumentation is drone like and hypnotising. The vocals are purposefully rough, which is a good thing for the purpose of this album, give the album its unique vibe. It is a really good album, I will be listening to it again for sure.
FAVORITE SONGS:
- Giggy Smile
- Jennifer
- Lauft...Heisst Das Lauft Oder Es Kommit Bald..Lauft (that was a mission to type out)
- It's A But Of A Pain
4/5
I went into this album blind, although as soon as the first song started, I
instantly recognised it. The album is a beautiful exercise in modal
improvisation. The first song sets the album up with a lovely Dorian centered composition. 'Blue in Green' is even more impressive. It carries an extremely 'cool' sound to it whilst weaving in-between different modes. Probably the highlight of the album. The last song plays around with Phrygian. I had a great time trying to play along with this song. The melodic instruments shine in this song whilst the rhythm section sets a very certain mood. An interesting thing with this album is that even with the modal brilliance shining through in these tracks, the twelve bar blues format is very prominent in the songwriting. This stuck out to me as an example of having simplicity in song structure whilst showing colorful melodic and harmonic qualities. What a great album.
FAVORITE SONGS:
- So What
- Blue in Green
- Flamenco Sketches
4.75/5
A standard early prog rock album from 1970. The instrumentation is what you would expect from an album like this, besides perhaps the title track, which is a lovely folk ballad driven by an acoustic guitar. It is ironically
probably the highlight of the album. All in all, its a really solid record.
FAVORITE SONGS:
- Stranger To Himself
- John Barleycorn (Must Die)
3.75/5
An album with a surprising amount of variety. Never listened to Alice Cooper before, but this album is filled with highlights. Not just a standard hard rock album, the songs are unique from each other in their sound. I really enjoyed the instrumentation on this album, and it has given me a new appreciation for Alice Cooper. Would recommend.
FAVORITE SONGS:
- Hello Hooray
- Billion Dollar Babies
- No More Mr. Nice Guy
- Mary Ann
- I Love the Dead
4/5
I listened through this album twice and to be honest I found it just bored
me both times. The arrangements are nice but the mix is off. No real variety
in the songwriting for the most part. The songs are somewhat nice sounding
but very uninteresting. Maybe an album to listen to when you are in an
extremely chill mood. Otherwise, I wouldn't bother.
FAVORITE SONGS:
- Play For Today
2/5
It is a decent album that has a few very noticeable highlights. I can't see myself listening to this album again (I have listened to it twice so far), but some of the individual tracks are worth repeating. 'A Design for Life' has a very good melody and solid instrumental backing. The title track is solid too, as is 'The Girl Who Wanted To Be God', with its very catchy melody. The rest of the album, bar a few more decent tracks, feels like filler to me.
FAVORITE SONGS:
- A Design for Life
- Everything Must Go
- The Girl Who Wanted To Be God
- No Surface All Feeling
3/5
Not bad, not that memorable though. This was a very influential album in its time. In 2022 though I can't feel too much connection to this album. I've never been a huge fan of the genre regardless though, so it wouldn't really be my jam anyway. A few small highlights. The album opens and closes very well. And the big singles from the album are decent.
FAVORITE SONGS:
- One
- Jeremy
- Release
3/5
Yeah not too much to say about this one. I've never been a massive fan of
Rod Stewart. This album is just sort of what it is. There's nothing special on it. Just a collection of somewhat okay songs.
FAVORITE SONGS:
- Gasoline Alley
- It's All Over Now
3/5
I was going into this album blind. I haven't properly listened to Led Zeppelin before, although they are constantly recommended to me, primarily from my brother. I wasn't expecting the album to sound the way it did. My ignorant perception of Led Zeppelin is that they only do hard rock. I was surprised that the album seemed to become more folk rock oriented as it went on which is right up my alley.
The album began in the hard rock vein, opening with 'Immigrant Song' (the only song I recognized from the album). 'Since I've Been Loving You' presents itself as very "Janis Joplin-esque". A slow blues rock number which is worth every one of its seven minutes. Folk Rock emerges as the dominant theme with the later half of the album, particularly with the trilogy of 'Tangerine', 'That's The Way', and 'Bron-Y-Aur Stomp'. Throughout the entire album the famously highly regarded musicianship of the band is in full force. Aggressive guitar and bass tones paired with tight and purposeful drumming are an awesome pairing with Robert Plants unique vocals.
This was a good album.
FAVORITE SONGS:
- Since I've Been Loving You
- Gallows Pole
- Tangerine
- Bron-Y-Aur Stomp
4.25/5
A genre I haven't ventured far into. After my first listen, I felt fairly over the repetitive punk rock assault. My second listen was headed by a different attitude, accepting the genre and trying to listen through the ears of a fan of the genre. This led to a completely different listening experience. The often nonsensical songs became a nice distraction to life.
If you are a fan of punk rock, I assume you have already listened to this
album. If you don't know punk rock, I would recommend listening to the album more than once. It has already grown on me a lot, and I have a feeling it will continue to grow on me
FAVORITE SONGS:
- Blitzkrieg Bop
- Beat on the Brat
- I Wanna Be Your Boyfriend
- Now I Wanna Sniff Some Glue
3.75/5 (For now, but that may increase in future listens)
The album is a bit of a musical mess, by design probably. The songs grew tiresome after the second listen, but there was a couple of highlights.
As for what mix is better, it depends on what kind of sound you are more
looking to listen too. Bowies mix is slightly more pop oriented while Iggys
remix is more rough around the edges. They both have their upsides.
Album is not bad but not one I am looking to listen to again.
FAVORITE SONGS:
- Gimmie Danger
- I Need Somebody
2.75/5
Feeling very open to world music, I was optimistic coming into this. I ended up giving up half way through my second listen. The music was horribly repetitive and the vocals were more annoying than anything else. Though some songs were catchy and had addictive melodies, they were catchy in a negative way.
Won't listen to it again, but I acknowledge its appeal.
1.5/5
I am discovering through this project that I am a fan of Miles Davis. The
songs effortlessly blend together to create a lovely mosaic of Jazz instrumental harmony. This album is not as good as 'Kind of Blue' (the other Miles Davis album I've had so far in this challenge) and not as complex, but still sets an easy listening experience
FAVORITE SONGS
- Jeru
- Moon Dreams
3.75/5
I was so happy to see this album show up. This is one of my favorite albums of all time. I remember only knowing The Zombies from 'She's not there' and 'Time of the Season'. This album blew me away when I first heard it and I gained a whole new appreciation for the band and the genre.
'Care Of Cell 44' is an immediate attention getter to begin the album. The
melody is infectious, backed up by a excitable rhythm section and beautiful background vocals in the choruses. The songwriting variety is exposed in the next song; the melancholy ballad 'A Rose For Emily'. A devastatingly sad tale provided with a wildly dissonant chord progression. A wonderful exhibition of brilliant songwriting.
'Maybe After He's Gone' is a dramatic statement, showcasing the genre diversity in the album with elements of Baroque Pop and Sunshine Pop. 'Beechwood Park' is a dreamy song with purposeful instrument tones and production. Yet, a catchy melody remains. 'Brief Candles' and 'Hung Up On A Dream' are maybe the two weakest songs on the album for me, but still give off a contagious vibe, whether it be relaxing in a dark room with headphones on just listening along, or on a beach on a summers day while everyone is playing volleyball. It's amazing how the songs on this album seem so suitable for so many different environments.
'Changes' is very baroque-y. One of my favorites on the album, it is a song
where harmony reigns supreme. An ambitious number, it arranged in a particular way to pay homage to the albums genre. 'I Want Her, She Wants Me' is an up-tempo fun rocker with somewhat of a dark side, with a minor plot twist revealed in the lyrics of the B section. Another inventive chord sequence and arrangement. 'This Will Be Our Year', with a slightly unique rhythm, provides yet more musical variety to the album.
'Butcher's Tale (Western Front 1914)' is possibly the best song on the album. Haunting and mesmerising, a tragic story about a soldier in the war. The singing in the choruses are as powerful as any I have heard. You can become very invested in the devastating story that the singer recites. 'Friends of Mine' is a beautifully joyful piece about the love the singer has for his friends who are a couple. A song I can relate to very much, and can't feel anything but happiness listening to the song. And of course, 'Time Of The Season' finishes the album strong. Probably the most contemporary song in the album, there is a reason why this is the one everybody knows. Impressive musicianship and vocal work.
This album is a masterpiece. HIGHLY recommend.
FAVORITE SONGS:
- Care Of Cell 44
- A Rose For Emily
- Beechwood Park
- Changes
- I Want Her She Wants Me
- Butcher's Tale (Western Front 1914)
- Friends Of Mine
5/5
Okay album. After a while it just felt like one massive droning noise. There
were a couple of highlights but the monotonous repetition got to me after
a while
FAVORITE SONGS:
- Shadow of a Doubt
- In the Kingdom #19
2.5/5
Never realised how beautiful Buddy Hollys voice was before this album. Fantastic vocals. Good old 1950s rock and roll. Songs are all decent, with some better than others, but there isn't a bad track on the album. Rock and Rolls problem is the lack of variety though, but the album is on the shorter side, negating this issue somewhat. This album is somewhere between good and great.
If Buddy Holly hadn't had died at such a young age, it would have been so interesting to see how his career had progressed. Such a shame we'll never
know.
FAVORITE SONGS:
- Oh Boy
- Not Fade Away
- You've Got Love
- That'll Be The Day
- Last Night
4.25/5
Impressed with the composition of this album.
The musicians play well and the albums theme
is somewhat apparent, though ambiguous at times.
Not really an album for me, but its not bad
FAVORITE SONGS:
- Track A - Solo Dancer
3/5
I listened to this album twice. After not thinking too much of it after the first time, I grew to really enjoy it the second time. I feel its the kind of music you want to be up and moving around or doing something when listening to it. It has that very recognizable New Wave sound, from the vocals, instruments and especially the production. Its cool to hear some horns thrown in there too!
FAVORITE SONGS:
- Love Plus One
- Snow Girl
4/5
So this album is clearly somewhat unpopular here, given it is currently the lowest rated album on the site. I listened to it three times. I feel like the more I listened to it the more I grew to like it. Its obviously a very rough around the edges kind of album and very raw. The production is harsh and the instrumentation is grating.
The vocals are filled with a strange, intense raw kind of passion. That is the highlight of the album for me. Though I have no idea what the singer is talking about, it feels relatable when going through pain (not sure if that's a good thing or not).
I don't think this album is that bad, although obviously not for everyone.
FAVORITE SONGS
- Kollaps
3.5/5
I'm a huge Beatles fan as well as being keen on all members solo careers. I must have listened to this album 50 times already, and to me, it hasn't lost its charm
I enjoy every track for different reasons. Perhaps the only track that could be below par is 'I Don't Wanna Be A Soldier Mana I Don't Wanna Die', but to me that song is just peak John Lennon weirdness, even if it becomes rather repetitive at times.
And yes, the obvious criticism when it comes to this album is the hypocrisy of the title track. To me, musicians and artists are more often than not just workers applying their trade. Sometimes, due to the content of their songs, their image becomes representative of something that isn't actually symbolic of their life, views or personality. This is something that many artists have struggled with (Dylan comes to mind as a prime example). 'Imagine' is an absolute anthem of a song, a really stand out track. Yes, John Lennon lived in a mansion, and maybe he wasn't the perfect image of peace when it comes to his personal life, but the song is still good, and has a good message.
The rest of the album is filled with tracks that range from good to incredible. The musicians used for this album include George Harrison, Nicky Hopkins, Alan White and Jim Keltner. Its a pretty star lineup and the musicianship is very good. Lennon's vocals are on point.
I think this album is not as good as 'Plastic Ono Band' but it is still a very good album and one I highly recommend.
4.75/5
Before this album, I had only listened to a Night at the Opera (which is an amazing album). This album is also very good, but not as good. You get the feeling that they were warming up for their best album to be released the following year.
There are great stand out tracks that showcase the sometimes awe inspiring musicianship of the band, as well as the vocal mastery of Freddie Mercury. On the other hand, 'She Makes Me (Stormtrooper in Stilettos)' kinda sounds like a bit of a drag, especially after the chaotic brilliance of 'Bring Back That Leroy Brown'. The great tracks greatly outnumber the poorer tracks in this album and it is highly recommended.
FAVORITE TRACKS
- Killer Queen
- Now I'm Here
- Stone Cold Crazy
- Bring Back That Leroy Brown
- In The Lap Of The Gods... Revisited
4.75/5
All the songs kinda blend together. This is not a genre of music I listen to usually, so it was a bit of a chore to listen through this. Its also very long. Its probably not a bad album, but not my cup of tea
Favorite song is Beautiful People and the untitled final track is kinda weird and I like that
2/5
I'm not a hip hop listener but I enjoyed this album. Catchy hooks and an easy flow made this album enjoyable. There are some songs where the instrumentation is a standout. Appreciate this album (and this website) for opening my eyes a little to the world of hip hop.
FAVORITE SONGS:
- Pigs
- How I Could Just Kill a Man
- Tres Equis
3.5/5
I like Stevie Wonder, despite rarely listening to his music. This album has the trade mark Stevie Wonder feel to it. After listening to it three times, I do feel that the highlights are the two big hits from the album ('You Are The Sunshine Of My Life' and 'Superstition'), but the other tracks are all good, there isn't really a bad track. I took note of the melody of 'Big Brother', which seemed ambitious, but Stevie still managed to make it groovy. The melodies along with the chord progressions in these songs show how versatile he is as an artist and songwriter.
FAVORITE TRACKS:
- You Are The Sunshine Of My Life
- Maybe Your Baby
- Superstition
4/5
I understand the importance of this album and the influence it has had on people. That being said, I found it boring and repetitive. Listen to if you are a hip hop fan! But for someone like me, all the songs seemed to sound exactly the same somehow. I appreciate the messages behind some of the songs, but the same style of vocal delivery gets old after a while.
2/5
This is a good album with the typical big band flair to it. I've listened to a few Jazz albums so far in this challenge, and I don't like this album as much as the other ones I've listened to. Still, this album doesn't really have a low light. I struggle to pick a favorite song as I find myself liking a lot of them the same. I would probably go with 'Lil' Darlin' as it closes the album strongly. It was a pleasant album to listen to.
FAVORITE SONGS
- Lil' Darlin'
- Duet
- Whirly-Bird
3.5/5
This is a weird one to review because I feel like my opinion of it has changed each time I listened to it. The first listen, I thought it was crap. Hated the obvious 80's production to it. The second listen it grew on me, and some tracks started to stand out. The third listen, I... actually liked it? I think I did anyway. It's just bizarre to me that I can go from hating it to somewhat liking it so quickly.
The obvious highlight is the hit 'Karma Chameleon' which boasts an unbelievably catchy melody and hook in the chorus. I've known, and enjoyed that song for years, but the surprising best song for me on the album is 'That's The Way'. A beautifully sung ballad with piano accompaniment, the way the backing vocals slot in with the harmonies is the great part of this track. Coupled with a powerful lead sung by Boy George, this song really genuinely surprised me. The coda with the two vocalists trading lines perfects the song.
I was worried when this album came up because I assumed it would be shit. And at first I thought it was shit. But now I think its less shit. In fact, maybe its not shit at all? I'll probably have to listen to it another 10 times to make sure.
FAVORITE SONGS
- Karma Chameleon
- That's The Way
As I said, tough to rate, but lets go 3.5/5 for now
Though Elvis was getting older, his voice is still strong in this album. The album features the very strong song 'In The Ghetto'. That's the only hit in this album and it bothers me that 'Suspicious Minds' is not on the album (although it was eventually included as a bonus track).
Its not the kind of album that's gonna move you. It doesn't have a theme or isn't revolutionary in any way. Its just Elvis being Elvis. Decent album but gets a bit old after a while.
FAVORITE SONGS:
- In The Ghetto
- I'm Movin' On
- Power of My Love
2.75/5
Not a hip hop fan, but enjoyed this album a lot more than I thought it would. The production is right up my ally and I love the vocal delivery. Its still not the kind of album I would normally listen to, but actually enjoyed my listens of this album.
FAVORITE SONGS
- Bring Da Ruckus
- Wu-Tang Clan Ain't Nuthing ta F' Wit
3.75/5
I absolutely love Janis Joplin and was elated to see this album come up. Released posthumously only a few months after death, this album always leaves me wishing she had stayed alive and continued to release music for another 40 years, although in some ways, Janis being the artist she was, it almost strangely seems right to go out early, as long as it is in a blaze of glory. Luckily, this album is that blaze.
'Move Over' is a fantastic opener, setting the scene for a high energy ball of vocal electricity that the album delivers. 'Cry Baby' is a showcase of the incredible voice and range that Joplin possessed. The album also has the huge hit 'Me and Bobby McGee' which starts off surprisingly quiet and "normal" for a Janis Joplin song. It's a great song that ramps up in the signature style of the artist at the end. Her acapella 'Mercedes Benz' is a brief moment of respite from the chaotic energy of the album. Recorded only three days before her death, the song is a poem of sorts, about the desire for things that other people have. One of the most notable tracks is 'Buried Alive in the Blues'. It is noteworthy for being completely instrumental, as Joplin passed away before the vocals could be recorded. Judging by the music of the song, she was gonna give it her absolute everything (as she always does), and it would have been a classic. The song always reminds me of the sad reality that she was taken so soon.
She is one of the absolute greatest vocalists of all time. That's not to say that this is for everyone, her distinctive voice can put people off. But she is one of my favorites. Outstanding album.
5/5
This album rules! I appreciate the rough around the edges sound to music and I like the character this album has. The first song had me hooked. Interchanging between 5/4 and 4/4 is not something often heard on a punk/reggae record, although I guess a punk/reggae record isn't something often heard anyway.
The bass playing stands out on this album as a highlight. The bonus track cover of 'I Heard It Through The Grapevine' is absolutely fantastic. I highly recommend this album, I had never heard of this band or album before but I am a new fan.
FAVORITE SONGS
- Instant Hit
- So Tough
- Typical Girls
- I Heard It Through The Grapevine (Bonus Track)
4.25/5
Supertramp is one of my all time favorite bands. This is the album that got me into them. There is not a single song on this album that is anything less than a great song. The opener is incredibly strong, featuring a brilliant piano solo played by Rick Davies. 'Bloody Well Right' shows off the remarkable musicianship of the band. The well known Roger Hodgson penned hits 'Dreamer' and 'Hide In You Shell' are both earworms that introduce Hodgson as a leading force in the world of popular music. They are rivaled by the musical journey that is 'Rudy' and the epic closer 'Crime Of The Century', both written by Rick Davies.
My pick for best song on the album though is one with not nearly the attention that any of the forementioned songs gained. The Davies written 'Asylum'. It is a song that hold special significance for me as it was pretty much the soundtrack to my life several years ago. Whenever I hear this song, it takes me back, in a strangely nostalgic way, even though the time it takes me back to was not in anyway pleasant. The song has many interpretations, but to me and to my life, it is a tale of a man in desperate denial, slowly loosing his mind. The raucous coda of the song is the highlight of the album for me. Manic chord progression and hectic vocals set the scene for a spectacular finale to the song.
This is a magnificent album. Listen to this, and then listen to every other Supertramp album. They are worth every second.
5/5
Somehow I have never listened to a Neil Young album before. I'm not sure how that has happened, as he seems to be right up my ally. That being said, I've listened to this album three times now, and though I think its quite good, it hasn't impressed me the way I hoped it would. But who am I to say such a thing really.
'Heart of Gold' is an insanely great song. 'Old Man' and 'Out on the Weekend' are very good. The rest of the album, so far, hasn't excited me very much. The album kinda reminds me of Dylan's 'John Wesley Harding', which is a good album but has never been one of my favorite Dylan albums. Perhaps when I eventually listen to the rest of Neil Young's albums, I will like them better than this one.
Its a good album, but I hoped I would like it better
3.75/5
Decent album. The first song was a great song, though I found I didn't like the rest of the album as much. A few of the songs remind me of other songs. 'One To Another' reminds me of Aerosmith's 'Sweet Emotion'. 'Get On It' feels like a tribute to Dylan's 'Like A Rolling Stone'. The instrumental 'Area 51' is groovy. But I just kinda got sick of the album after the second listen, just not a huge fan of britpop from the 90's.
FAVORITE SONG
- With No Shoes
3/5
It's all right. 'Dreaming of You' is a really fantastic song, far and away the highlight of the album. That's not to say the other songs are bad, they're just not great. They're fine.
FAVORITE SONGS
- Dreaming of You
- I Remember When
3/5
A really pleasant listen. The band backing Jones is very tight and allow the vocals to shine. I was only really familiar with 'Don't Know Why' but there are a few standouts on the album, though that song is still my favorite. I think this is a good background album. Its completely inoffensive and harmless. Nice to listen too. That being said, its also not the greatest album of all time. Nothing too mind-blowing, just nice.
FAVORITE SONGS
- Don't Know Why
- I've Got To See You Again
4/5
This album is fucked up. I guess that's by design?
The only Eminem I really know is 'Without Me'. I was a kid when that came out and it was like my first favorite song ever. But for whatever reason hip hop kinda fell away from me and I started listening to other genres.
I could only listen through this once, and I breathed a sigh of relief when it was over. Some of the songs are incredibly disturbing. 'Kill You' is one of the worst songs I have ever heard. I get the shock value is probably part of the reason the album is so highly rated, but it just sort of disturbs me (again, probably by design). 'Kim' is so fucked up that I feel like listening to it has ruined the rest of my day.
The thing is, the beats are actually pretty good. And I've always somewhat liked Eminem's voice. Also, the album has one song on it that I like. In fact, I love it. 'Stan' is an incredibly clever track and a pretty powerful statement on toxic fan culture.
Other than that, I absolutely hated this album.
1.25/5
I really wanted to like this album, but unfortunately it just doesn't do it for me. There is a place for obvious dissonance in music, and I actually usually quite like the fringe avant-garde genre that this music belongs too. Sadly, instead of presenting itself as 'arty', it more or less just sounds plain bad.
The production is horrendous and I agree with the assessment of Nico herself about the flute. It overpowers the mix and adds nothing. The strings can be a bit much too. I think this album had the potential to be really good if the instrumentation was more like The Velvet Underground style.
There is charm to this album. Nico has a unique voice, one that I wouldn't say is bad but certainty not traditionally commercial. But this is not the album that it had the potential to be.
2/5
So this is my second RHCP album in this challenge and though I do like this one better than the other one (Blood Sugar Sex Magik), I feel that this album suffers from the same thing that put me off the other one. The length.
The first half of this album is really really good. In fact, the album was just tracks 1-8 and 15, I would rate this five stars. But the problem is, tracks 9-14 exist. To me, they serve as nothing more than filler. That is a shame because the first half of the album is excellent, but since I really don't like half the album, I can really only give 3 stars at most.
The musicianship is very good. I really like Flea's bass playing in this album, sounding very melodic. The surprising highlight for me in the album is 'Porcelain', a soft ballad with nice production and harmonies.
Potentially an all timer album ruined by filler and length.
FAVORITE SONGS
- Porcelain
- Californication
- Otherside
- Scar Tissue
- Road Trippin'
3.5/5
15 minutes of punk at its most raw. If you like hardcore punk, you will love this album. If you don't, there is a good chance you will hate it.
There is charm in its simple aggressive vibe. I listened to the album a couple of times. It is bite sized, low commitment to listen to. Even if you don't like the genre, I would say it is worth a listen. Its only 15 minutes, so what the hell right?
Not for me, but could be worse.
2/5
Good album, great songwriting on show here. I love the use of strange time signatures (especially in the opening song). The vocals sound really good.
Never listened to this band before, but I had heard of them and understand how influential they were to many. I could tell by the vocals that many bands have tried to copy their style over the years.
Felt it dragged on a bit towards the end, but still a fine album. One I enjoyed a lot more than I thought I would.
FAVORITE SONGS
- Rooster
- Down A Hole
- Hate To Feel
- Them Bones
3.5/5
Cool album, one I would have never listened to or heard of without this website. The language barrier at first was off-putting for me, but the music itself is universal. The melodies, chords, arrangements, instrumentation and musicianship can be appreciated by anyone who speaks any language.
Lots of songs here that are in uncommon time (Lots of 6/4 or 6/8, whatever you wanna call it). Its refreshing to hear that from a western perspective. The drums and percussion shine the brightest in this album.
Refreshing album to hear on this list.
FAVORITE SONGS:
- Soubour
- Sekou Oumarou
- Nick
- Mali
4/5
Haven't listened to much of The Who, which is bizarre considering my love for other british bands like The Kinks and The Beatles. This album reminds me of any of the first three albums by The Kinks. Its an old school rhythm and blues record with a couple of standout tracks.
I actually really liked this album. 'My Generation' is the obvious hit, but there are other highlights also. The music is very good. I always hate how buried in the mix the bass guitar is in early 60's albums but it still at least noticeable as a highlight of the album. I am listening to 'Please Please Please' as I write this and the bass is grooving big time.
I'm looking forward to listening to other albums by The Who in this challenge, as this album feels like they were just getting started. And if their discography is anything like The Beatles or The Kinks, their best is yet to come.
FAVORITE SONGS
- It's Not True
- My Generation
- La-La-La-Lies
- Please Please Please
- The Kids Are Alright
4.25/5
