Aug 03 2023
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Kid A
Radiohead
I will try to remain as objective as possible. I only know of Radiohead for their song Creep which obviously I love. This album was very different. I would never guessed Creep was made by the same people who made this album.
Regardless, okay, I like how the album has a lot of ambient feel to it. Many times while I was listening through the album, I was reminded of bands like Boards of Canada, Autechre, Aphex Twin, and that appealed to me. In fact, Treefingers is my favorite song on this album.
What confuses me about this album is the random droning and wailing, the instruments that feel like they were recorded without any awareness of the other audio sources. Some parts feel like, "oh, we should have some drums do this now" randomly and haphazardly. Or, "oh, maybe some random squiggly lines made of violin noise can go here." And I'm left wondering, why?
A lot of times, I was trying to figure out where a song was going, and it felt like an unfulfilled promise. There was parts that excited me and I was like, "oh, this is nice, where is this going? hey, is this going anywhere? Oh, no. It's not going anywhere."
The lyrics "You can try the best you can. The best you can is good enough" in Optimistic gave me hope, but simultaneously made me think, "well, you could have tried a little harder I think to make this enjoyable to listen to."
The album is brave, experimental for sure, they're trying things, sometimes it works, a lot of times it doesn't work for me. I don't think the word pretentious fits. It doesn't feel full of itself. I think it tries. I think it really tries to be appealing, and for a lot of people, it succeeds.
I thought this might be a great album if I wasn't completely sober the whole time. Maybe it's best heard on a trip or something. I'm not sure. I don't want to be disrespectful to the artists, because I sense a level of creativity in it, that I either am not aware of or don't fully understand. Maybe I would have to listen to the three albums before this one to appreciate this one.
I see that it is often highly-reviewed, which leaves me questioning why that's the case. Maybe I just don't get it. Maybe I need to listen to it again to fully understand what's going on. But, I don't think I can. The voice doesn't work for me. The flat and off, wailing and droning ruins it for me a lot of the time. I found myself moaning and mocking it along as though I was pretending to be a dying animal. That probably explains why I like Treefingers so much, no vocals.
I'm sorry. I tried. I did. I listened to it front to back with no interruption and really tried to absorb it, and I feel like I'm lost, much like a lot of the tracks, with no hope of finding myself.
Final thoughts: Treefingers and National Anthem were okay, but the overall random ambient noise at times, unfulfilled promises of a song, and droning vocals are lost with me. Would not listen to it again sober.
It's not the worst thing I've ever heard, there were some parts I did enjoy, so I can't say it outright fails, I like the creativity, I like the attempt, but I'd rather go to the dentist then listen to this again. Not my cup of tea, but if you enjoy it, I'm very happy for you. Drink up. I think a rating of 3 is more than fair.
3
Aug 04 2023
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Speakerboxxx/The Love Below
OutKast
Objectively: 5
Subjectively: 3
Overall: 4
The album is easy to listen to. It's fun and entertaining. I don't think I can take it too seriously though. I listened to it front to back. I ended up listening to The Rooster three times in a row. I love that song. It's entertaining, and it's hilarious. The lyrics make me laugh. Church is good. Tomb of the Boom is good. Flip Flop Rock makes me laugh, Last Call makes me laugh. The album gives me party vibes, not serious vibes, funny vibes, cheesy vibes. The rap at times is hard to take seriously, but Outkast has never maintained a reputation of being "gangsta rappers" anyway. To me, they've always been the entertainment rap type, not the cold calculated type, and I think the album fits the former definition perfectly. I love the name and theme. The references to speaker box throughout the play through are a nice touch.
Overall, it's sugary and light and entertaining. Some songs I will eat up like candy, but they metabolize quickly. There were never moments where I got chills or thought to myself, "wow, that was deep." It was always, "haha, that's hilarious, play it again."
So, for what they claim to be, this album hits the spot perfectly. It's entertaining and it's well made. As far as personal taste, it leaves me a little unsatisfied, but it's fun to listen to and it would not be torture to have it playing in the background of a party or at a public event or anything like that.
4.
4
Aug 07 2023
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The Slim Shady LP
Eminem
Objectively: 5
Subjectively: 3
Overall: 4
Eminem has talent and it's not unfair to say he's one of the best rappers of all time. That being said, while the album has some great beats and he's a master of words, after the fourteenth or so mention of throat slitting or date-raping or poo poo or pee pee, it gets tiring. It's supposed to be offensive, and shocking, I understand that, and if you were a 16 year-old bullied kid back in the late 90s early 00s, this album would speak volumes to you. If that's your cup of tea, nice. Small sips for me. 4.
4
Aug 08 2023
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The Stone Roses
The Stone Roses
Easy 5. Where has this album been all of my life? This was brilliant. Excellent listen front to back. The first 60 seconds of the first song I was like, "Oh. This is going to be good." Soothing and nostalgic guitar and vocals! Reminds me of Polaris and The Adventures of Pete and Pete. And to think this was their debut album. Wow. What a treasure. I can't believe I went over 30 years of my life without ever hearing this.
5
Aug 09 2023
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The Blueprint
JAY Z
Objectively: 3
Subjectively: 1
Overall: 2
This ain't it. Annoying breath noises, annoying voice right off the bat. The beats are average at best. Sometimes the bass distracts me enough to forget what I'm listening to. Otherwise, it's full of stereotypes, mediocre trash, loves to recite the alphabet, weak rhymes. N to the izz-O. T to the izz-hanks.
2
Aug 10 2023
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The Nightfly
Donald Fagen
Very middle of the road, generic, bland, non-offensive. Starter pack music. I envision myself casually shopping in JCPenney circa 1991 while music from the weather channel plays in the background over the radio. Not too bad, not too good. Adequate.
3
Aug 11 2023
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Vincebus Eruptum
Blue Cheer
Starts off great, but kind of hard to miss when the first two songs are covers. Solid covers. Got me jamming for sure. The rest is kind of nice, reminds me of Hendrix a lot, but sloppier. There is a distinct underproduced way it sits in your ears when using headphones, but I overlook that easily. It's got some nice sounds, the songwriting could use some help I think, and some parts could have ended sooner I think. I don't know. It's OK. 3.
3
Aug 14 2023
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Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band
Beatles
I agree that objectively, everyone should listen to it at least once. I think it's great. I went through a phase in my early twenties where all I played was this, but times change. Still nice to hear once in a while.
4
Aug 15 2023
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Led Zeppelin II
Led Zeppelin
Easy 5. Timeless classic album. Easy and enjoyable listen front to back.
5
Aug 16 2023
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Virgin Suicides
Air
Easy 5. Classic movie, classic soundtrack. Haunting, intriguing listen.
5
Aug 17 2023
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Sheer Heart Attack
Queen
It's Queen. 5. Duh.
5
Aug 18 2023
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Autobahn
Kraftwerk
Kometenmelodie 2 is great. It's a decent album. Of course I'm going to love the synth and all that, some of it seems random and unintentional, like someone got a new toy and they're playing with it the whole time, but it's pretty solid.
4
Aug 21 2023
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Superunknown
Soundgarden
I was pleasantly surprised by how much I liked this. I have heard the name Soundgarden, but never actually listened to them outside of Black Hole Sun. This album was a good opportunity to listen to them for real this time, and I really enjoyed it. What a great album front to back. I like it.
4
Aug 22 2023
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Blue Lines
Massive Attack
Beautiful album. Masterpiece.
5
Aug 23 2023
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Fuzzy Logic
Super Furry Animals
This was entertaining and funny. It's like Ramones from Wish.com
3
Aug 24 2023
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Tonight's The Night
Neil Young
The piano is nice at times. It's sad overall and makes me think of a depressed truck driver travelling back and forth across the country. It's not terrible to listen to and if it was playing in the background, I probably wouldn't mind. Some songs are just so slow and depressing though. The instruments sound okay. The guitar and piano are nice. The voice isn't annoying or moan-y which is good. It's okay I guess. If I had a friend who enjoyed this type of music, I wouldn't think differently of them.
3
Aug 25 2023
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Django Django
Django Django
It's okay, I love track Default. WOR is good too. What a jam, but the entire album is very tiring on the ears. It's like the bass is at 100% max volume the whole time and it doesn't let up. I can't quite explain it. My ears were begging for moments of silence or something. The synth and instruments are good, but that lower end is just so in your face the whole time. It's distracting.
3
Aug 28 2023
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All Mod Cons
The Jam
Snazzy, nice little jams. The name is appropriate. This would be fun to listen to on a road trip. I like it.
4
Aug 29 2023
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Odelay
Beck
Great album from the 90's. Beck is quirky and fun. The album is entertaining. Nostalgia of MTV.
4
Aug 30 2023
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In-A-Gadda-Da-Vida
Iron Butterfly
This was pretty cool. I liked it. Short album, long song at the end. I definitely have never minded long songs at all. I love them, so of course I liked this. Groovy psychedelic rock. Sounds good.
4
Aug 31 2023
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The Poet
Bobby Womack
No thanks. It's like making sweet sweet love to the weather channel on TV. I feel gross.
2
Sep 01 2023
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In Our Heads
Hot Chip
Love it! Where has this been? How did I not know about this?
I can't stop listening! Night and Day. <3
5
Sep 04 2023
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Ten
Pearl Jam
Definitely remember this album. Decent hits. Classic 90's nostalgia.
4
Sep 05 2023
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Henry's Dream
Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds
Strangeness. "Brother, My Cup Is Empty" reminds me of Jack Black so much. The overall sound makes me feel like the album doesn't take itself seriously. I don't know if it's the voice that sounds like someone parodying a singer, or what it is. It also reminds me at times of songs from TV shows like "I Think You Should Leave", especially the first song, "Papa Won't Leave You". Are the Bad Seeds a band of pirates lost at sea? What the heck is this album and what is it trying to do?
2
Sep 06 2023
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Skylarking
XTC
Reminds me of a knock off of the Beatles at times. Makes me tired. Not my thing.
3
Sep 07 2023
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Triangle
The Beau Brummels
A nice collection of easy to listen to short songs, good guitar and vocals. I like this. Nine Pound Hammer was my favorite. I could definitely throw this on in the background and do some housework or something. What a pleasure.
4
Sep 08 2023
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Paul's Boutique
Beastie Boys
Tough one to rate because while I appreciate their dedication to their style, I find it so hard to like these guys. I get it. The sound is unique and I can see why they're iconic. I get that part. I do. It's just not for me. The songs and style are the same and irretrievably consistent throughout the album which solidifies them, but also places them into this box where you either love them or you hate them, and well, I don't love it. Every line is like, "something something something BAM, and then another word and something BAM, and everything something, something, BAM, extra style and something BAM" - the pattern gets so tiring. The voice, the beats. I can't listen very long. If you've heard two songs by Beastie Boys, you've heard them all.
3
Sep 11 2023
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The ArchAndroid
Janelle MonĂ¡e
This was really unique and I like how there are many different styles. It's a versatile album. Some sound like grunge, some sound like pop, some sound like orchestra. Interesting. I'm saving this one so I can listen to it all the way through again. It's good.
4
Sep 12 2023
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Layla And Other Assorted Love Songs
Derek & The Dominos
Middle of the road music you would put on in the background of a bar or on a road trip montage of a movie. It's smack dab in the middle between god awful and brilliant.
3
Sep 13 2023
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Don't Stand Me Down
Dexys Midnight Runners
This does not work for me. The voice bugs me a lot. Hard pass. The redeeming quality of this album is how brief it is. Not for me. Voice doesn't sit right with me, and even if you removed the voice, you'd be left with some mediocre weather channel music.
2
Sep 14 2023
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Ill Communication
Beastie Boys
Hey, at least they're not shouting the entire time in this album. Meh.
3
Sep 15 2023
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Blood, Sweat & Tears
Blood, Sweat & Tears
Strange and all over the place with different styles. Some of it sounds good, then all of a sudden, it's something else entirely. It's okay. It works sometimes. Sometimes it doesn't. Sometimes in Winter.
3
Sep 18 2023
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Definitely Maybe
Oasis
Enjoyable. Well made. Not really my genre of choice, but it sounds good and I'd be lying if I said I didn't enjoy listening to it.
4
Sep 19 2023
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Bryter Layter
Nick Drake
I'm saddened by this one. I love the instrumental parts. I love the strings and the guitar and the orchestra instruments in use. The voice ruins it. If there were no vocals, this would be an easy 5. Sorry Nick.
3
Sep 20 2023
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Abraxas
Santana
I had never sat down and really listened to Santana, but I was surprised I recognized so many songs I had heard from movies or commercials I guess. The riffs are quite nice. Black Magic Woman / Gypsy Queen and Mother's Daughter are a real treat. What a great album. Yes please.
5
Sep 21 2023
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Scott 2
Scott Walker
How goodly weird. "Next" was a fun listen. I imagine this album as something my art teacher would have playing in the classroom while students were working on projects or something. It's definitely something. It reminds me of Rocky Horror at some points, reminds me of Frank Sinatra at some points, reminds me of Willy Wonka (Gene Wilder) at some points. What a beautiful and strange album. What a weirdo! I love this. I'm keeping this one.
5
Sep 22 2023
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Violator
Depeche Mode
Love it. Classic.
5
Sep 25 2023
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Heroes
David Bowie
Not his best work, but it's David Bowie, so I'm going to be a little biased and inflate the rating. I love him in general, but this misses the mark.
4
Sep 26 2023
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Hail To the Thief
Radiohead
Whining while I hit my tin can. Waaaaah. Search a dreamer. 2 and 2 is 5. Waaaah.
Now it sounds like it's skipping. Sit down. Waaaah. Stand up. Waaaaah. Bell noises. Waaaah.
Oh, Sail to the Moon is so goo--oh wait, he's whining again. Nevermind.
Backdrifts, ooh, spacy, panning, damnit, he's whining again. This would have been so nice if he would just stay quiet. The music is tolerable on this one.
Go To Sleep. Sigh.
Where I eeeeeennnnnnndddddd....waaah. I wish it would end already.
We suck. (young blood). Clap. Oooooh. Whining. Clap. WTF is going on? Are you toooooooorrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrnnnnnnnnnnnnnnn WAaaaaaahhh
Holy fuck make it stop.
The Gloaming. Oooh, sounds cool. More of this clippy Autechre type snare and weird FX. Cool. So far so good. FUCK. He starts making mouth noises again.
There, There. Drums. Made it 60 second before the whining.
I Will. No. I most certainly will not. Iwoooonn''tttt leeett thissss happennn to my ccchhiillldreeeen. WTF
A Punch Up At A Wedding, ooh nice piano, annnnnd he's droning again. Welp.
Myxomatosis - Wow. Synth. And depressing singing again. I don't. Know. What. I. Feel. So. Don't. Know. What.
Please stop.
Scatterbrain - OOOOooooooh, no.
A Wolf At The Door - Oh, he's talking now. Don't you dare. Don't you dare. Don't you dare.
The worst thing I have ever heard.
1
Sep 27 2023
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good kid, m.A.A.d city
Kendrick Lamar
3
Sep 28 2023
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Larks' Tongues In Aspic
King Crimson
Nice. I could listen to this over and over.
4
Sep 29 2023
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Crime Of The Century
Supertramp
Nice. I've heard the same Supertramp before, but never listened to them. Wow. Not bad. I like it. Very 70's.
4