Solid Christmas album that influenced every other Christmas album. Quintessential Spector production & arrangement. Sounds played out in the 21st century, but this was the pioneer of modern pop production. Translates well to Christmas music. Fun vocals and high energy throughout 3.75/5
90% of this album sounded like it was trying to be one long Sex Pistols song. I thought the driving, attacking, instrumentation kept energy high throughout the album. Although there was zero evolution or exploration of musical ideas beyond power chords and simple progressions. The short track lengths gave the listener continual hope for the introduction of a new idea, but instead resulted in a continual bombardment of general monotony and complacency. The band relies too heavily on the general popularity of the punk aesthetic and the simplistic "whinge-ing" of the lyrics and vocal delivery, while in the end achieving nothing. 2/5
Objectively good. Had some super interesting motifs/ideas that I would like to hear more of. A pioneering album with elements recognizable in many genres that succeeded it. Crisp instrumentals, strong vocal harmonies, and incredibly progressive use of percussiveness, particularly on "Flight of the Rat". Very fitting album cover. 4.25/5
What I imagine Portishead and Elton John's love child would sound like. An incredibly strong vocal front to back, carries instrumentation that, while compelling, lacks a sonic depth, or gravitas, to match the vocal performance. Calling the album true fusion is a stretch, but there are certainly strong jazz influences. The album stands in uniqueness with an oft imitated yet rarely achieved style. 3.75/4
Solid Christmas album that influenced every other Christmas album. Quintessential Spector production & arrangement. Sounds played out in the 21st century, but this was the pioneer of modern pop production. Translates well to Christmas music. Fun vocals and high energy throughout 3.75/5