A good album but I have my issues. Vocals are an issue for me - no sense of command or facilitation. They hit the middle spot of being a bit wishy-washy. Musically, it is highly intricate - the mixing is insanely good (something I never appreciate unless it's an extreme, an example of bad is enter the 36 chambers, but obviously there are reasons). However, this in some ways can be detrimental to my enjoyment. "Smoothness" is something I enjoy in small doses - a guitar lick, a saxophone solo, a cymbal crash. When every track is smooth it lacks the power to grab me. Good music not great music, would play at a dinner party when I am 50.
Fav song - Peg
Haunting and expressive while still firmly a Summer of Love record, Forever Changes was released in the same year as the Doors' debut (they were label mates) and is a clear insight into the darker turn of rock to come. If it were for stronger vocals, this could easily be confused for a Doors demo. For me the best tracks on this album are in the peak of folk psychedelia. Violins are used throughout the record and create a gothic atmosphere the contrast with sunny guitars. Lyrics range from introspective to a bit silly.
"I think people are the greatest fun/ And I will be alone again"
Favourite song - Alone Again Or
shh/peaceful
- love the pacing hihat drums, feels indubitably modern (trancelike quality you get in electronic music)
- piano is so dreamlike in the background, tinkling in and out
- while the saxophone is
- john mclaughlin is a badass, so subtle but defo my fav
- trumpet peaks and then drops in at like 6mins creating a brief vacuum which feels like you have lost your guide and fallen into a dreamy abyss. When it comes back it is so much gentler. i feel like i am in a garden of plutonian delights.
- the break at 13:30 reverts you back to earth. trumpet becomes hazy and wistful, nostalgic for the distant adventure. weirdly didactic quality (complete reinforcement bias) - imagine telling children but enriching with lessons
- i particularly like the little piano falls and climbs that give accents of danger or mystery
- not sure i like the ending. just fades out rather suddenly. i would have preferred if all the instruments are faded out of the mix one at a time until it is just the drums
in a silent way
- love the guitar tone (reminds me of dear prudence)
- the reverberation reminds me of gentle raindrops on a lake but the quality of the trumpet is like a tiny rowboat cutting through the water
- WTF! 4.18 massive change in atmosphere, hints of excitement but then it slowly reverts back into calmness
- around 10 mins: dancy in the most ideal laid back sense, head bobbing, finger twitching stuff
- drums get involved more and start to spice things up a little around 13
- 15.30 bass is sexxx
- and then drops out suddenly back to the dreamlike start
- trumpet at end is my fav part
One of my favourite albums of all time from the vibesiest rap group to do it.
The start of Push It Along is cosmic birth through a wormhole, setting you up for just under an hour (see later why) of blunt-on-a-sunday instrumentals and mellow raps. An underrated feature is the name of the album that encapsulates the sense of irreverent journeying you undergo, meticulously structured (though it feels so natural) by Q Tip. Social, mystical, and most importantly pure FUN - this album was the start of a movement and impactful.
The last 4 songs on the album are pretty trash so mentally I have just excluded them. Since it is a run of songs at the end doesn't feel wrong. Also the colourful album cover is better but this is still iconic.
Favourite song - I left my wallet in El Segundo* or Rhythm devoted to the art of moving butts
*It's kinda my Rosebud, the kids are gonna be very confused when I spit 'we left Brooklyn and made big tracks'
Not a fan of optimistic Americana but this record explores those who never quite realised their dreams. Feels very much influenced by Bob Dylan but retains signature stadium rock qualities. Songs are tight but fully realised. I guess coming off his legal troubles, the success of Born to Run was tainted with cynicism, leading to this album. Must have been very powerful to those living the American scream. "But if dreams came true, oh, wouldn't that be nice/But this ain't no dream we're living through tonight".
Could very well have leaned even further into the darkness but that's not really on brand. Pleasantly surprised!
Fav song: Adam raised a Cain
Catchy baroque rock
Fav- BoRap
Fav new - death on 2 legs
An incredibly cool concept executed really well. Metal has been associated with precision and intricacy as well as gothic themes - what better mash up than with classical instruments. The stadium rock and audience involvement heightened the dramatic nature of this whole performance. The biggest letdown for me is the singing, I have never liked that style. Mixing could have been better, would have liked to have heard more of other instruments not just strings. In general I would prefer if they arranged it with more breakdowns where the guitar drops out and the orchestra carries the melody (think end of memory remains, start of no leaf clover). That being said, this was fantastic and I loved it.
Fav song - Fuel
Badly made punk rock. Energy somewhat there but still very boring. Not animalistic, tongue-in-cheek, or classy. They wear their inspirations on the sleeve but are otherwise naked. VU, Rolling Stones, Bowie I assume. Feels like I have heard the same songs done better 100x over.
Fav song - pick any of them they all sound the same
