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Tue Dec 13 2022
21
Adele
God, can she sing! At its best, this album offered moments of rawness, emotion and soulfulness reminiscent of Amy Winehouse...a pleasant surprise. But, all in all, the music is too mainstream, conventional, and unchallenging for this listener.
3
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Wed Dec 14 2022
Step In The Arena
Gang Starr
I know nothing about hip hop or rap...it's history, evolution, east vs. west., etc.
I've never listened to a full rap/hip hop album.
I have never heard of Gang Starr.
That said, here's what I can say...
I'm glad I discovered this album. Smooth, jazzy, funky, chill, relaxed vibe. Loved the basslines. Loved the samples. Delivery was more understated/uninspired than I expected, but maybe that helps create the relaxed vibe. Idk. I just know I enjoyed the ride, will work this into my regular playlists and will be seeking out more rap/hip hop in the future.
Isn't this the reason for joining this site? Curiousity, discover, and expansion of musical palate?
Happy I joined. Enjoying the experience.
Enjoyed every track, but faves were:
Step in the arena
Lovesick
Just to get a rap (yes to the bassline!)
3.5/5.0
3
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Thu Dec 15 2022
Play
Moby
A breathtaking masterpiece! Utterly perfect.
I've listened to this THOUSANDS of times and, still, something stirs deep inside of me with each listen.
Every track is a stand-alone achievement in its own right, but collectively, the cumulative product is just breathtaking.
A collage of genres (gospel, blues, soul, hip hip, club dance beats, ambient haze), with samples taken from across a stunning range of time and space and artist, all woven together so well that they seem they were performed to be in this mix when these samples were originally recorded years ago. It's really an amazing achievement.
The result is a sprawling stew of emotions that makes up all that we feel as humans...joy, elation, melancholy, despair, sensuality, determination, reflection....it's all in there. See for yourself.
I've listened to this so many times and experienced it so deeply that it has truly become the soundtrack of my life...a soundtrack of all that we collectively experience.
A perfect 10 out of 10!
5
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Fri Dec 16 2022
From Elvis In Memphis
Elvis Presley
Please give me early Elvis! The hungry, innovative, inspired, edgy, bluesy Elvis. The Sun Records Elvis. I can listen to THAT all day long!
Not this!
Uninspired, bloated, saccharine, sappy...those God-awful, elevator-music strings...mind-numbing horns....Hollywood orchestra chorus. I'm sorry, but this is just vapid and insipid....the beginnings of Elvis's eventual movement towards the sad parody of himself that he would ultimately become at the end.
Don't despair, though....go listen to the good stuff. There's plenty of it!
This is NOT it.
1/5
1
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Mon Dec 19 2022
Run-D.M.C.
Run-D.M.C.
Was excited that this popped up in the queue since I have a developing interest in rap/hip hop and I understand RUN-DMC's importance as a seminal artist in all that followed...and I'd never actually listened to one of their albums...
But geez, it seems so simplistic, repetitive and dated! For me, that was the true surprise.
I appreciate they laid a groundwork for a new genre, and for that reason I'm glad I listened....but really not much to listen to by today's standards.
Out of respect for it's role in pioneering a genre, I'll give this a 2 instead of a 1.
I really wanted (and expected) to like it. Not to be. But thanks for the history lesson.
2
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Tue Dec 20 2022
Time Out Of Mind
Bob Dylan
Atmospheric, hazy, distant, bluesy, bourbon-soaked, leathery, brooding, reflective, moody....and utterly perfect. It's all about the mood. It's film noir meets whiskey bar.
Most surprising is how Dylan's vocals, steeped in the gravel of age, wisdom, and mortality, are an actual STRENGTH on this album.....unlike in his early work where I feel like I have to "tolerate" his voice to get at his songwriting. Not here....the deep, aged, wizened, grittiness only adds strength and character to the sound and punctuates the mood of the entire album.
Never heard this before and am so glad I found it. Will be seeking out more Dylan of this era.
Best tracks: Love sick, Million miles, Not dark yet, Highlands.
4.5/5.0
4
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Wed Dec 21 2022
Stankonia
OutKast
Wow! A sprawling, funky, fun masterpiece.
Yes, it goes on forever....but it's never repetitive, always exciting, challenging, and different. It's like walking through a funhouse and you never know what's around that next turn.
Loved the journey...interludes and all.
Favorite tracks:
Ms. Jackson
So Fresh, So Clean
I'll Call B4 I Cum
B.O.B.
4.5/5.0
4
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Thu Dec 22 2022
Autobahn
Kraftwerk
Kraftwerk is a true pioneer of electronica/ambient and Autobahn was my introduction to them. I prefer their later work (Man Machine, Trans-Europe Express, Electric Cafe), in which they developed more energy and sonic exploration and has more of a dance/club vibe...but this first album should be heard, if for no other reason, for the classic track Autobahn. My favorite part of this album, though, was revealed after repeated listens and is Kometenmelodie 2....the more subdued track that precedes it (Kometenmelodie 1) creates a need for an emotional, musical release, which is delivered in part 2....particularly at the end....so stay with the track for that. Nice payoff.
3.8/5.0
3
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Fri Dec 23 2022
Brutal Youth
Elvis Costello
I like Elvis Costello and his unmistakably unique sound, sneer and quirky cadence...but I found this album unremarkable. Yes, it's clearly Elvis and you'll get your fix of him...but nothing stands out for repeated listens. If you want the best Elvis you'll need to go to his first three albums (My Aim is True, This Year's Model, Armed Forces). Now THOSE are truly special!
2.7/5.0
2
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Mon Dec 26 2022
A Christmas Gift For You From Phil Spector
Various Artists
What a great Christmas album! The 60's Wall of Sound arrives just in time for the holidays! All tracks are great (except Spector's creepy Silent Night wish, of course...insert eye roll emoji here), but that Darlene Love is truly special, isn't she?
I didn't know this album existed, so thank you, 1001albums, for the gift.
A great way to add depth, diversity and punctuation to your Christmas mix, which can tend to grow stale with the same old same old if you let it. It will be prominent in my Christmas mix for this year and many years to come.
Merry Christmas, all!
3
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Tue Dec 27 2022
The Predator
Ice Cube
What a great album!
Smooth, funky, danceable, emotionally-charged beats that masterfully chronicle (with effective use of news samples interspersed) racial injustice in this country. Timely in its release right after the Rodney King tragedy 30 years ago, it's actually a sad social commentary that it is still as fitting as ever in today's times.
As for the music itself...
"When Will They Shoot" is a strong opening track and an instant addition to my playlist...that repetitive backbeat is catchy, hypnotic and has an almost Middle Eastern quality to it. Love the fusion of genres.
The "I'm Scared" insert is a good example of the audio samples being used to chronicle the themes and messages of the music. Well done.
"Wicked" and "Now I Gotta Wetcha" feel like I've walked into the best dance party ever, right at the peak of its energy.
"Check Yo Self" is the highlight of the album and has also made it to my playlist.
Love the Steely Dan sample in "Don't Trust 'Em."
"Integration" is another good use of audio samples that complement the music and message.
Only so-so track is "Gangsta's Fairytale"....felt like filler to me. The rest is outstanding.
Side note: Artist's prerogative, of course, but I wish the passioned and effective chronicling and commentary on racial injustice and police brutality were not coupled with repeated themes of misogyny, homophobia, and gangsta bravado, which serve to dilute and tarnish the otherwise effective message in this great work.
4