Fear of Music was fine. The bass was consistently pumping through the mix with unique lines. That was probably the most enjoyable part of the album. You can tell everyone is very talented, but not really my flavor.
Favorite track- I Zimbra
Least favorite track - Electric Guitar
I’m not crazy about this album. There were some high points scattered throughout, like the intro and out to of NY or the lonely sounding M62 Song, but the album as a whole is a weak concept album about the end of the world with a stale early 2000s alt rock sound.
Favorite track - M62 Song
Least favorite track - Pounding
This album would be great for a workout. For the most part, all of the songs blend together to me. Not a bad thing necessarily, but it’s hard to feel excited about this album when every song feels exactly like every other Metallica song.
Favorite track - One
Least favorite track - The Frayed End of Sanity
The first Aly Alf of this album was cool. Lots of innovative sounds for the time. I’ve never been a Bowie fan because I think his voice is uninspiring and boring. I could look past that personal bias, but I cannot look past the boring slow burn that is the second half of this album; especially all of the instrumentals. The first half of this was okay, but I won’t be listening again anytime soon.
Favorite track - Heroes
Least favorite track(s) - All of the instrumentals
Right off the bat, there are a lot of lyrics that are pretty gross and hateful toward my personal religious beliefs, so I feel like I'm starting off on the wrong foot with this album. That being said, the instrumentation on this is great. Guitar, drums, and bass are all top-tier and really enjoyable to listen to. Serj's voice on the other hand... I think he has a great screaming voice, and even his singing voice is unique and I could get into. But all of the theatrics are cringy and feel very forced.
Favorite track - Spiders
Least favorite tracks - Suite-Pee, Sugar
This album was largely pretty boring. It’s standard, uninspiring dad rock. Could picture this playing in the background of a greasy spoon or a crappy dive bar. Twangy guitars are cool throughout but nothing really sticks out as great except for Sultans of Swing; in which I think they caught lightning in a bottle.
Favorite track - Sultans of Swing
Least favorite track - Six Blade Knife
Not for me.
Favorite track - Caught in a Mosh
Least favorite tracks - everything else
Pretty good. Not my favorite album in the world, but a good listen. I wish bands in the 60s/70s didn't full-pan different instruments to different sides. Drums right, guitar and bass left makes it feel like there's a war going on in my head. Makes it hard to appreciate it all at once when everything is begging for your attention separately.
Favorite track - Draft Morning
Least favorite track - Dolphin's Smile
Being raised in a FWB church, this sound is entirely familiar and nostalgic to me. I loved every bit of this.
Favorite track - In the Pines
Least favorite track - Satan Lied to Me
I stopped listening pretty early into this. Didn’t give it a fair shake but it just didn’t keep me interested.
One of my top 5 albums of all time. This is the best case scenario for boomer music. I could talk forever about how good this album is and all of my favorite bits. I think my absolute favorite moment of this album is in Time towards the end when everything slows down and he starts to talk about being back home. The guitar at the beginning of this part is so interesting and the synth/organ parts fit the mood perfectly.
An absolute masterpiece of an album that is already a staple of my rotation.
Favorite tracks: Time, The Great Gig in the Sky, Breathe (In the Air), Money, Brain Damage into Eclipse
Least favorite track: Speak to Me
I’ve historically not been a Janis Joplin fan. In the past, I’ve found her voice offputting. Something about this attempt was different though. The raw character of her voice felt much more honest and sincere than it has in the past. Really enjoyed this listen through.
Favorite track - Crybaby
Least favorite track - Mercedes Benz
Lots of interesting little bits to enjoy. A good blend of paying homage to what came before but also being experimental. Not a big fan of the singer’s voice but musically this album is pretty interesting.
Favorite track - Hooked Up
Least favorite track - Revolution 1993
Not crazy about this. There are some nice moments, but his voice is very boring. Also, this album is way longer than is warranted. Probably won't be returning to this anytime soon.
Favorite track - Distance From Her to There
Least favorite track - The Old Gold Shoe
Really great. Obviously heavily influenced by the success of the Beatles.
Favorite track - Party Line
Least favorite track - Fancy
Really enjoyed this. The whole album from front to back was engaging and really fun. Funky bass lines and a really cool tone on the guitar mix perfectly with well timed horns and keys. There are times where I wish the drums demanded your attention, but I'm nitpicking. This album makes me nostalgic for a time I wasn't even alive. This was my first time listening to this and I'll come back to it regularly.
Favorite track - Shining Star
Least favorite track - See the Light
Nothing on this really was exciting for me. I respect that this sound was new in the 80s and that this sound influenced pop punk music of today but instrumentally it feels boring, the mix is horrible (even in the 30th anniversary edition), and lyrically it's cringey. I'll not be revisiting this again.
Favorite track - Boys will be Boys
Least favorite track - My Perfect Cousin
Love this album. Not a bad song on this album. Really showcases Paul's songwriting chops. The title track on this album is objectively the best song, but there's really not a bad song on this album.
Favorite track - Band On the Run
Least favorite track - Country Dreamer
This was fine. I'm not very crazy about Rush, except for the drums, which aren't as profound in this album. Probably won't return to this often. Also, I hate that so many of the songs were compiled into 1 medley. I'd rather be able to choose between the different tracks that make a majority of the album.
Favorite track - A passage to Bankok
Least favorite track - Lessons
This album seemed really familiar to me. I think I listened to it a bunch in high school. Either way, it's a cool project that has stood the test of time. I love how watermelon man starts with a strange mix of a tribal chant and woodwinds, then gradually transitions into a really cool funky jazz piece.
Favorite track - Watermelon Man
Least favorite track - Vein Melter
Idk it's corny but in a fun way. Not something I'll go back to but it's fine. Saw someone refer to this as a Springsteen album for theater kids; sounds about right.
Favorite track - You Took The Words Right Out of My Mouth (Hot Summer Night)
Least Favorite track - All Revved Up with No Place to Go
Love it. These songs melted together so nicely it was hard to distinguish when one song was ending and another was starting. Very cozy, coffee shop/fancy restaurant vibes.
Favorite track - After Supper
Least favorite track - N/A
