I didn't have any expectations going into this, but Cold Fact made for a nice and neat little listen. The backstory to this album is very interesting, and I'm surprised this didn't perform well in the US. Sure, I feel that the lyricism can be a bit average at times, but there's still plenty of pretty great writing here, take for example Like Janis, the incredible opener Sugar Man, and the rallying Crucify Your Mind. The messaging and politics in these tracks still holds up to this day. The production can sound and be a bit weird at times as well, however the unexpectedly varying instrumentation here are very cool. The synths in the opening tracks were very neat. This album has many stand outs, and while I feel Gomorrah and I Wonder are weaker tracks in the album, Cold Fact is still a pretty great album. Knowing how influential this album was only makes me appreciate it more.
Ambient music is a genre that I hold very dear to me. It's a genre you never really see talked about too often, which I find a little upsetting. However, Pop is a classic of the genre. It is truly a serene album to say the least. Listening to this makes me imagine that I'm relaxing in the forest on the album cover. The subtle loops of each track are almost entrancing, and the delicate but rhythmic drums here are very pleasing. I just adored the ambient drones in the foreground though, and the tiny and minute sounds and effects in the background of these tracks too. Even if not every track was one I loved, I still found Pop to be a worthwhile, immersive, relaxing, and sonically natural experience. A very solid ambient outing all around. I can very much see myself coming back to it.
Now, A Day at the Races isn't a bad album per se, but with this album you get what you expect. There's all the theatricality and big and powerful sound and production Queen is known for. Sometimes this works in their favor and is fun to listen to, though with other songs it can feel a bit bland. Now, these songs aren't technically bad either, there's merit to them that's worthy of note, like with the ballad You Take My Breathe Away, the big hit Somebody To Love, and the fun romp of Good Old-Fashioned Lover Boy, but there's also songs that just made me go, "yep, that's Queen alright," and mostly that. Now, the theatricality Queen is known works for a lot of people, but if you're somebody that it doesn't work with or just feels mixed on it, then they don't bring too much to the table. And though I'm one of those people who is mixed, A Day at the Races still made for a mostly pleasant experience. I still enjoyed myself and can see why other people may like this more.
This is an obscure one for sure. Os Mundi's Latin Mass is certainly something to describe. It's a German krautrock album with latin lyrics. It's pretty psychedelic sounding as well, and it certainly makes for an experience. Despite how cool it might sound though, I think it's alright. It's certainly weird at times, and that can kind of be kind of hit or mis, but it also certainly sounds pretty good at times too. I dig the instrumentation on this thing for the most part too. The organ and bass are nice to listen to. Even if I don't have much to say, I can see plenty of people liking Latin Mass if this band was bigger. I might find some faults with it, but I can definitely appreciate what it's doing.
I've mostly only seen Flying Beagle through YouTube recommendations, but after giving it a shot today, I can say that it's really neat. Despite how energetic the first track is, I was pleasantly surprised by how chilled out most of this album is. A Seagull & Clouds took me back for a second, the relaxing Fluffy with its great double bass are really great tracks, The Second Summer and its chill electric guitar, and more are such great tracks. And while I do like the more energetic tracks like Look Your Back!, the title track, and Ducky Ducky, I found myself having a preference for the more laid-back tracks. The songs here can also kind of feel like they're merging together at points too, but the great instrumentation, especially Kikuchi's keyboards and the bass, can excuse a lot of that. I'm glad I finally gave Flying Beagle a try. It's a laid-back and chill listen that I got something out of.
Man, I wasn't even sure what I was expecting but my expectations were very much met. "Awaken, My Love!" eclectic influences come together to form a smooth, yet energetic, and highly enjoyable experience. I was hooked the moment I heard Me and Your Mama, and it never really stops after that. This album is produced very well and that aspect really shines all over this thing, especially on the big hit of Redbone. The 70s funk inspired backing vocals are like ear candy. The grooves and instrumentation on this album are very infectious, almost as much as the hooks and great vocals from Gambino. While the track California kind of took me out of it with Gambino's questionable vocals, I still found things to admire about it like its catchy instrumental. There's still plenty of great tracks to be found here like the rowdy Boogieman and Riot, and the heartfelt Baby Boy and Stand Tall, which makes for a grand closer. I had an overall great time with "Awaken, My Love!" and thoroughly enjoyed myself. It's really good.
The energy of Hello Rockview is something that I have not had in a little bit, but I really dig it. It kept me locked in, even through parts of the album I thought were weaker. The instrumentation was certainly pleasing to me. I liked the upbeat and lively guitar on this thing and loved the energetic horns and bass. The most popular track on here, All My Best Friends are Metalheads, is the best example of what I have mentioned by far. It is a very infectious track that I really enjoyed. Hello Rockview though can feel a bit bland at times for me though. I am a bit mixed on Pop Punk so maybe I am just biased, but the vocals here can feel a bit off at times too. And while I do like the energy of this album, it can feel a little bit tiring to me when there is not too much variation. With all that said though, I can still appreciate Hello Rockview and I enjoyed my time with it. It has this energetic attitude and feeling that I can get behind.